Trump Threatens Oman as U.S. Sanctions Iranian Strait Authority and Strikes Iran Targets

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to “blow up” Oman if it does not “behave” over the Strait of Hormuz, sharply escalating an already volatile confrontation around one of the world’s most important shipping routes.

The warning came amid reports that Iran and Oman have been discussing a joint system to charge ships passing through the strait, which has been largely closed since the U.S.-Israel war on Iran began. The talks have intensified concern over global energy flows and the future of maritime access through the waterway.

The Trump administration also imposed new sanctions Wednesday on Iran, targeting its newly established “Persian Gulf Strait Authority.” According to the reported U.S. action, the agency is intended to control and collect fees from shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The military dimension of the crisis also widened. The United States carried out new strikes inside Iran, including actions that downed drones and targeted military facilities. Earlier U.S. strikes had been described as defensive.

The developments add pressure to a conflict already marked by conflicting signals over diplomacy. Reports cited differing accounts of progress toward a potential U.S.-Iran draft agreement, while Iran has continued to insist on a role in managing traffic through Hormuz.

Together, the threat against Oman, the sanctions on Iran’s new maritime authority and the latest U.S. strikes point to a deepening regional crisis with direct implications for shipping, diplomacy and energy markets.