U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Oman against implementing a tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz during a White House briefing [1].
The move signals a hardline economic approach to maintaining open shipping lanes in one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints. Any disruption to the flow of energy could trigger global price volatility and destabilize regional security.
Speaking from the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room on April 15, 2026 [2], Bessent said the U.S. government will not tolerate any effort to impose a tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz [3]. This warning follows previous rhetoric from President Donald Trump, who said entities must behave or the U.S. would have to "blow 'em up" [4].
Bessent also addressed the ongoing tension with Iran, noting that the U.S. and Iran have agreed to a tentative deal to extend a ceasefire for two months [5]. The Treasury Department has simultaneously increased economic pressure on Tehran. The U.S. has applied sanctions to the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) of Iran [6].
According to Bessent, Tehran is "desperate for cash" [7]. This financial instability is a primary driver for the U.S. strategy of using targeted sanctions to limit Iran's ability to fund regional activities. The secretary also touched upon a possible bill proposed by Trump amounting to $250 [8].
The briefing focused on the intersection of national security and global economics. By targeting the PGSA, the Treasury Department aims to restrict Iran's control over maritime traffic, and revenue generation in the Gulf [6].
“"The United States Government will not tolerate any effort to impose a tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz."”
The U.S. is employing a 'dual-track' strategy of diplomatic pauses and aggressive economic warfare. By combining a tentative ceasefire extension with sanctions on the PGSA and warnings to Oman, the administration is attempting to maintain maritime stability while systematically draining Iran's financial reserves to limit its geopolitical leverage.
