Iran has strongly condemned U.S. threats to impose sanctions on and bomb Oman following reported talks between Muscat and Tehran on jointly overseeing the Strait of Hormuz, reiterating that the Islamic Republic’s actions in the strategic waterway are “lawful”.
Amid growing concerns that a renewed U.S.-Iran standoff could undermine hopes of de-escalation, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Thursday denounced the “threatening rhetoric” of U.S. officials towards the Sultanate of Oman, according to the state-owned IRNA news agency.
In a statement, Baghaei criticised recent remarks by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent regarding sanctions on Oman, following President Donald Trump’s warning to “blow up” the country. He described the threats as an attempt to “blackmail a sovereign” state.
“Threatening to impose sanctions on Oman under a false pretext is an illegal act that contradicts the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law,” he was quoted as saying.
According to the spokesman, the threats against Oman, which has long acted as a mediator between Tehran and Washington, are “another sign of the moral bankruptcy of the U.S. system of governance and politics.”
“The international community shall respond responsibly to this approach and prevent the increasing normalisation of violations of international legal norms,” he added.
The warnings from U.S. officials about bombing and sanctioning Oman came after the Sultanate reportedly held talks with Iran on overseeing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.
In New York, Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeed Iravani, defended Tehran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz as “lawful and consistent with international law.”
“Iran’s actions are lawful and consistent with international law. Iran could not allow such a critical waterway to be used as a corridor for hostile actions and military aggression against its sovereignty, territory, and vital interests,” the mission’s website reported.
Iravani made the remarks on Thursday during a statement delivered at a UN Security Council high-level open debate titled Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-Centered International System.
Amid concerns that escalating tensions could derail ongoing mediation efforts aimed at extending the fragile Tehran-Washington ceasefire, Iran strongly condemned recent U.S. strikes in its southern Hormozgan Province, which borders the Strait of Hormuz, and called on the UN Security Council to intervene.
Following two U.S. attacks within a week near the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, the capital of Hormozgan Province, Baghaei condemned what he described as repeated U.S. violations of the ceasefire.
“The strikes constitute a gross violation of international law and the United Nations Charter,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
Calling on the UN Security Council to uphold its “legal responsibility” and hold Washington accountable, the Iranian spokesman said Tehran remained determined to “take all necessary measures to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity” in line with the UN Charter.
His statement followed two rounds of exchanges between Iran and the U.S. in the narrow maritime corridor, while reports suggested that a mediated agreement to extend the fragile ceasefire by 60 days could be imminent, pending approval from the U.S. president.
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Saudi Arabia said its air defences destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it could enter prohibited airspace over the holy city, as attacks by the Iran-aligned group deepen regional tensions.
U.S. President Donald Trump has again said Iran is keen to reach a deal quickly, but a senior Iranian security official rejected the claim, saying Tehran will not negotiate until its conditions are met.
U.S. Central Command said 101 commercial vessels have been redirected in the Strait of Hormuz, while oil prices rose more than three per cent amid fresh regional attacks and supply concerns.
Maritime trackers received new reports of an attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), adding to concerns about energy supplies after Saudi Arabia shut down a vital oil pipeline on Saturday.
Saudi Arabia is now facing pressure from both ends of the Arabian Peninsula. While the crisis around the Strait of Hormuz is disrupting Gulf shipping and energy flows, fighting has intensified in western Yemen, bringing the Houthis back into direct confrontation with the kingdom.
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