US threatens Oman with sanctions over Iran's Hormuz tolling system; experts debate

Tensions escalate as the US threatens Oman with sanctions over Iran's proposed tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz, with President Trump warning he would "blow 'em up" if Oman helped Iran control the strategic waterway.
In a discussion panel on Al Jazeera, former senior US diplomat Ambassador Joey Hood and University of Tehran associate professor Hassan Ahmadian debated the threats and the root causes of US-Iran tensions. Hood dismissed Trump's comments as "hyperbole," saying the administration would impose economic sanctions not just on Oman but on any country participating in what he called a "mafia protection scheme." He noted that a UN Security Council draft resolution has 135 co-sponsors, the highest number in history, showing global consensus against Iran managing the strait.
Ahmadian countered that Iran is acting under international law during a state of war, saying: "International law allows Iran to manage shipment. It's not mafia. American mentality might be tacked to mafia-like actions, but Iran doesn't have that." On the root of US-Iran tensions, Hood pointed to the 1979 hostage crisis, when American diplomats were held for 444 days, saying "things have just gotten more and more sour over the years." Ahmadian blamed US coups in Iran in 1953 and the failed attempt after the 1979 revolution, saying: "They want a puppet government in Iran. That's not going to happen."

Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe
Follow us on X: https://X.com/AJEnglish
Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera
Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/
Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/
Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile

#Trump #Iran #UnitedStates #IranWar #USIsraelWarOnIran #HormuzCrisis #Oman #HormuzStraitAuthority #TrumpCabinetMeeting #USSanctionsOnIran #USIranCeasefire #USIranTalks #AlJazeeraEnglish