Iran Discusses Control of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz

[Financial News]  
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The foreign ministers of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Oman discussed regional security and maritime cooperation in a phone call on the 29th local time, Iran's West Asia News Agency (WANA) reported.
The discussion came as U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Oman could face American strikes if it worked with Iran to control the Strait of Hormuz. Oman has long aspired to be the 'Switzerland of the Middle East,' a neutral state that takes no side, but its plan to jointly manage the Strait of Hormuz with Iran is drawing sharp opposition from Washington, D.C.
According to the report, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi praised Oman's principled and responsible approach to peace and security in the region. He also thanked Oman for serving as a mediator in talks between Iran and the United States.
Araghchi also expressed solidarity with Oman in the face of threatening rhetoric from the U.S. and condemned Washington, D.C.'s deceptive stance.
In a post on social media platform X, Araghchi said he had discussed the Strait of Hormuz with Omani officials.
He said the two foreign ministers discussed the Strait of Hormuz and the administrative body that would oversee it in the future, in a manner consistent with their sovereign responsibilities and international law. He added that Iran "welcomes dialogue with all neighboring countries."
Araghchi added that Oman and Iran would mobilize responsible measures to manage safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, based on international law and in a way that also serves the interests of the international community.
The United States is pressuring Oman, which has been in talks about jointly managing the Strait of Hormuz with Iran.
During a press briefing at a Cabinet meeting at the White House on the 27th, Trump warned of possible airstrikes on Oman. He threatened that Oman should act like other countries, or it would "have to be blown up." On the same day, finance minister Scott Bessent warned that the U.S. would track down forces helping Iran collect tolls in the Strait of Hormuz. However, after a call with the Ambassador of Oman the following day, Bessent moved to calm tensions, saying he had received assurances from the Omani side that there were no plans to collect tolls in the strait.
The U.S. has stressed that the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran blocked during the war, must be reopened to prewar levels and that tolls must not be collected.
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dympna@fnnews.com Song Kyung-jae Reporter