The key waterway has been a flashpoint since the US and Israel launched the war on Iran in late February. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

President Donald Trump sparked diplomatic backlash after reportedly warning during a Cabinet meeting that the United States could “blow up” Oman if it refused to align with Washington’s demands over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route. According to accounts of the meeting, Trump reiterated his push for countries in the Middle East to join the Abraham Accords and support U.

New clashes between the United States and Iran have further strained already fragile negotiations aimed at ending the nearly three-month war, while Israel sharply escalated its military campaign in southern Lebanon with expanded strikes and mass evacuation orders. The latest tensions erupted overnight after the United States carried out what American officials described as “defensive” strikes inside Iran.

Bessent said that he had a call with the Omani Ambassador and made it clear that the tolling on the Strait of Hormuz is a non-starter. Meanwhile, according to the Treasury Department, the PGSA was established by Iran to manage requests from ships seeking passage through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.