'I had a call': Bessent confronts Oman over Hormuz tolls as Trump's warning rattles the region

WASHINGTON, DC: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday, May 28, that Oman assured the United States it has no intention of imposing tolls or attempting to restrict movement through the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump issued a blunt warning about maintaining free navigation in the strategically critical waterway.

Bessent said he personally spoke with the Omani ambassador following Trump’s remarks and emphasized that any attempt to interfere with international commerce would trigger serious consequences from Washington.

Oman denies Strait toll plans

During a White House media appearance on Thursday, Bessent was asked about Trump’s escalating rhetoric surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and whether the administration was preparing for another military confrontation in the region.

Bessent downplayed the prospect of conflict while making clear that the administration views unrestricted navigation through the Strait as non-negotiable.

“I think the president wanted to punctuate freedom of navigation in the Strait,” Bessent said. He revealed that he had already spoken directly with Oman’s ambassador following the controversy.

“I had a call with the Omani ambassador this morning, and he assured me that there were no plans for tolling the Strait,” Bessent explained.

According to the treasury secretary, the ambassador stressed the long-standing relationship between the two countries during their conversation. 

“As he said, our countries have 200 years of good relations. He wants to have another 200 more,” Bessent added.

The treasury secretary also said he warned Oman against risking potential US sanctions tied to any restrictions on maritime traffic.

“I told him that this was a nonstarter,” Bessent said, adding that Oman would not want “either Omani individuals or Omani financial institutions getting sanctioned.”

Earlier, Bessent had posted a sharply worded statement warning that the US government would aggressively target any parties involved in creating a tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz.

“The United States Government will not tolerate any effort to impose a tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz,” Bessent wrote, adding that “any willing partners will be penalized.”

Trump warns Oman to 'behave' 

The tensions followed comments Trump made during Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting while discussing access to the vital shipping route.

“The Strait is going to be open to everybody,” Trump declared. “It’s international waters.” Trump then issued a direct warning involving Oman’s role in the region.

“Oman will behave like everybody else, or we’ll have to blow them up,” the president said. “They understand that.”

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically important energy corridors, carrying a massive share of global oil shipments. Any disruption to shipping traffic through the narrow waterway can send shockwaves through international energy markets and global trade.