The saga of rare Washington pressure on its longtime regional ally Oman continues, with on TuesdayThe Wall Street Journalreportingthat US officials are growing "increasingly frustrated" with Muscat's neutral stance, which they now view as hostile to US interests.

Oman has stood accused ofcooperating with Iran on a proposed toll collection scheme which would benefit Tehran and circumvent America's aims for the region.

"In recent days, the Trump administration hasthreatened to sanction and even bomb Oman, after a new intelligence assessment concluded that Muscat was planning to join Iran in tolling vessels in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, according to another U.S. official," WSJ writes."Oman has repeatedly denied that it plans to do so."

Interestingly, Oman actually provided some level of military assistance to the US even as it launched an unprovoked attack on the Islamic Republic alongside Israel.

"Omani territory was used to provide some logistical supplies to the U.S. military at the start of the war, say Arab and U.S. officials,"notes the report. "But the U.S. official said the military assistance was small."

During a cabinet meeting last week, President Trump made clear that Muscat must align with US-backed 'international norms' or face consequences, warning, "Oman will behave just like everybody else,or we’ll have to blow them up."

Omani Information Minister Abdulla al-Harrasi has recently emphasized that the Sultanate remains"ready to work with the United States and all responsible partners to promote stability"and protect mutual interests.

The small strategically located Arabian peninsula country has sought to walk a fine line, but Washington is angered as it has yet to explicitly condemn Iran, even after weeks of attacks onGulf states(at the height of Operation Epic Fury):

Since the war started, Oman has assisted ships, including from the U.S., by providing navigational guidance, search-and-rescue services and medical assistance to ship crews, said a person familiar with the matter.

Harrasi said the country remained committed to the free flow of commerce and energy through the strait.“Any threat to freedom of navigation in these waters would harm the interests of the entire international community, including the United States,”he said.

Source: ZeroHedge News