US Senator Chris Murphy criticised President Donald Trump over his recent warning to Oman, calling the comments another sign that the ongoing conflict and diplomatic tensions involving Iran have “gone off the rails.”
Murphy’s reaction came after Trump, on Wednesday, issued a sharp warning to Oman while talking about ongoing negotiations with Iran over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, saying no country would be allowed to control the strategic waterway.
Murphy also mentioned that Oman is a close US ally and a key intermediary in diplomatic talks with Iran. “They (Trump administration) are in constant panic mode, making mistake after mistake,” he further added.
Also read | ‘Oman will behave or we’ll have to blow them up’: Trump’s big warning on Strait of Hormuz control
On Thursday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also warned that Washington would “aggressively” target any actors involved in facilitating tolls for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on X, Bessent said, “The United States Government will not tolerate any effort to impose a tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz. Oman, in particular, should know that the U.S. Treasury will aggressively target any actors involved – directly or indirectly – in facilitating tolls for the Strait and any willing partners will be penalized. All nations should reject outright any efforts by Iran to disrupt the free flow of commerce. Tehran’s days of terrorizing the region and the world are over.”
Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David on Wednesday, Trump said that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to all nations and described it as “international waters” that cannot be controlled by any one country.
Also read | Trump vs Oman: Why US is threatening Muscat amid Iran, Strait of Hormuz talks
“We’ll watch over it, but nobody’s going to control it. That’s part of the negotiation that we have,” Trump said.
He then issued a direct warning to Oman, saying, “They would like to control it. Nobody’s going to control it. It’s international waters, and Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we’ll have to blow them up.”
The President made the remark after being asked whether he would accept a proposed arrangement under which Iran and Oman would share control of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route.
