This of course flies in the face of the US posture in the region.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is the latest top Trump admin official to chastize Oman: "The United States Government will not tolerate any effort to impose a tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz," he said on X Thursday.

"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," Bessent continued. "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."

Starting a week ago, official 'discussions' between Oman and Iran were widely reported:

Iran and Oman have discussed setting up a toll system to charge vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, despite President Trump's condemnation of charging fees to pass through the waterway.

"Iran and Oman must mobilize all their resources both to provide security services and to manage navigation in the most appropriate manner," Iranian Ambassador to France Mohammad Amin-Nejad on Wednesday told Bloomberg News, which first reported the talks.

Given the country's geography, in the southeastern Arabian Peninsula, it is likely to play a key role in any final agreement or outcome, in terms of opening Hormuz back up to international maritime transit.

Bessent is continuing the pressure campaign soon on the heels of President Trump in somewhat shocking and surprise remarks saying that Oman could come under American military attack if it doesn't cooperate.

Trump said in the Oval and in front of cameras that the US would "blow up" Oman if it doesn't "behave". The serious threat was issued in response to a reporter's question on whether the US would accept a short-term deal that involved Iran and Oman jointly controlling the Strait of Hormuz.

"No, the strait's got to be opened to everybody, it's international waters. Nobody's going to control it. We'll watch over it, but nobody's going to control it. That's part of the negotiation," Trump told reporters during a cabinet meeting.

"Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we'll have to blow them up. They understand that they'll be fine," the president then emphasized.