Iran’s Foreign Ministry has sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat against Oman, calling it “dangerous” and an act of “bullying.” In a statement, ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said that threatening a United Nations member state that has long played a constructive and responsible role in regional peace and diplomacy violates the basic principle prohibiting the use of force. He described the threat as a sign of growing lawlessness in international relations.

The criticism followed Trump’s warning that if Oman entered into any agreement with Iran to manage shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, he would “blow up” the country. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Basent also said Washington would impose aggressive sanctions if Oman helped Iran establish a tolling system in the strait. Baghaei denounced these threats as attempts to blackmail an independent state and evidence of moral bankruptcy in U.S. politics.

He further urged the international community to respond to what he called the normalization of illegal actions and violations of international legal norms.