Siap – Iran and Oman are reported to continue strengthening defense cooperation despite the threat of sanctions from the United States. One of the issues they are focusing on is the security of the Strait of Hormuz.
Quoted from the Kompas YouTube channel, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that the two countries are discussing the future management of the Strait of Hormuz.
Araghchi stated that his discussions with Omani Foreign Minister Bader Albusaidi were very productive.
He emphasized Iran's full solidarity with Oman in facing all forms of external pressure.
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In his post on platform X, Araghchi also stated that they discussed the Strait of Hormuz and its future management in accordance with the sovereign responsibilities of the Islamic Republic and international law.
The joint move by the two countries in the Persian Gulf region comes amid intense pressure from Washington.
United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent immediately reacted by issuing a warning to Oman.
He stated that the Treasury Department will aggressively target anyone involved in facilitating toll collection in the Strait of Hormuz.
Bessent said he had spoken with the Omani ambassador on Thursday morning, May 28, and received assurances that the country does not intend to implement a toll system in the Strait of Hormuz.
A few hours before the warning was issued, the United States Treasury Department officially imposed sanctions on a newly formed Iranian body called the Persian Gulf Strait Authority.
This institution was established by Tehran specifically to collect fees from ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Washington also expanded sanctions threats to anyone who pays these fees, as it is considered providing support to the IRGC.
As is known, the Strait of Hormuz is no ordinary waterway. About one-fifth of the world's energy supply passes through this strategic strait every day.
Since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Tehran in late February, the region has turned into a blazing conflict zone.
Tehran's retaliatory actions made the strait impassable for ships as before the war, triggering a surge in energy and fertilizer prices around the world.
Oman itself has acted as a mediator in talks between Washington and Tehran before the war broke out.
