On Wednesday, President Trump warned long-time U.S. ally Oman that he would "blow them up" if they collaborated with Iran to charge tolls in the Strait of Hormuz.
The threat follows reports that Oman was negotiating a joint fee structure with Tehran for vessels passing through the narrow waterway, which carries a third of the world's liquified natural gas. Oman has historically served as a neutral mediator or the "Switzerland of the Middle East," acting as a vital backchannel between Washington and Iran. While Trump later claimed Oman would ultimately "behave," the U.S. Treasury concurrently threatened sanctions to prevent any interference with global shipping.
Diplomatic circles are now watching to see if Oman will abandon the toll proposal or if this rhetoric will scuttle fragile peace talks aimed at ending the regional war.
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