Kamal Ghorui
The United States has warned shipping companies that they could face sanctions if they make payments to Iran for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.The alert, issued Friday by the US office of foreign assets control, comes amid rising tensions over control of the strategic waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of global oil and natural gas trade typically passes in peacetime, has been heavily disrupted. Iran has effectively restricted normal traffic after attacking and threatening ships following strikes launched by US and Israel on February 28.Iran later began offering some vessels safe passage by rerouting them closer to its shoreline and charging fees for the service. The US described this system as a “tollbooth” arrangement and said the payments are now the focus of its sanctions warning.The Office of Foreign Assets Control said payment demands could include cash, digital assets, offsets, informal swaps, in-kind payments, charitable donations, or payments at Iranian embassies. It added, “OFAC is issuing this alert to warn US and non-US persons about the sanctions risks of making these payments to, or soliciting guarantees from, the Iranian regime for safe passage. These risks exist regardless of payment method,” it said.In response to Iran’s actions, the US imposed a naval blockade on April 13, preventing Iranian tankers from leaving and cutting off oil revenue. The US Central Command said 45 commercial ships have been ordered to turn around since the blockade began.The escalation has further strained global energy markets, pushing up prices and causing shortages linked to oil supply routes passing through the region.As tensions continue, US President Donald Trump also rejected Iran’s latest proposal to end the conflict.“They want to make a deal, I’m not satisfied with it, so we’ll see what happens,” Trump said Friday at the White House. He also said, “It’s a very disjointed leadership,” and added, “They all want to make a deal, but they’re all messed up.”Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported that the proposal was delivered to mediators in Pakistan on Thursday night. Talks between the two sides have continued through indirect channels, even as both accuse each other of violating a fragile ceasefire.
