Trump Threatens Oman Amid Iran Strait of Hormuz Dispute

The United States and Iran are locked in a naval stalemate and diplomatic crisis over the Strait of Hormuz following a conflict that began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026. Donald Trump has implemented a naval blockade of Iranian ports and deployed over 20 warships, including the USS Tripoli, to ensure freedom of navigation. Tensions peaked in late May when Trump threatened to "blow up" Oman if it collaborated with Iran to implement a tolling system for the strategic waterway. While Oman later assured Washington it had no plans to toll the strait, Iran continues to assert sovereignty over the corridor.

Iran recently established the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) to manage transit and charge fees for navigation and security. The U.S. Treasury Department, under Secretary Scott Bessent, responded by sanctioning the PGSA as part of the "Economic Fury" campaign, characterizing the tolls as maritime extortion intended to fund the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Concurrently, the U.S. sanctioned various vessels and entities involved in Iran's "dark fleet" oil trade to further stifle Tehran's revenue.

Military escalations occurred between May 27 and 29, with U.S. forces striking a drone ground-control station in Bandar Abbas after Iran launched attack drones at a U.S. commercial ship. The IRGC retaliated by targeting a U.S. airbase and firing a ballistic missile toward Kuwait, which was intercepted. Despite these clashes, Pakistan is mediating a draft memorandum of understanding to extend a ceasefire and restore shipping, though the agreement currently awaits Trump's final approval.