US threatens sanctions if shipping companies pay Iran to pay Strait of Hormuz tolls

The United States has warned shipping companies that they could face sanctions if they pay Iran for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The warning issued by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control on Friday comes as tensions over control of the strategic waterway are rising.About a fifth of the world’s oil and gas trade normally passes through the Strait of Hormuz in peacetime, but the strait has been severely disrupted. After the United States and Israel launched attacks on February 28, Iran attacked and threatened ships, effectively restricting normal traffic.Iran later began providing safe passage for some ships, rerouting them closer to its coastline and charging for the service. The United States describes the system as a “toll gate” arrangement and says payments are now the focus of its sanctions warnings.Office of Foreign Assets Control said payment requests could include cash, digital assets, offsets, informal swaps, in-kind payments, charitable donations or payments at the Iranian embassy. It added, “OFAC is issuing this alert to warn U.S. and non-U.S. persons of the sanctions risks of making these payments to the Iranian regime or seeking safe passage guarantees from the Iranian regime. These risks exist regardless of the method of payment.”In response to Iran’s actions, the United States imposed a naval blockade on April 13, preventing Iranian tankers from leaving and cutting off oil revenue. U.S. 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 on oil supply routes through the region.US President Donald Trump also rejected Iran’s latest offer to end the conflict as tensions continue.“They want to make a deal and I’m not happy with that, so we’ll see what happens,” Trump said at the White House on Friday. He also said, “This is a very disjointed leadership,” adding, “They all wanted to make a deal, and they all blew it.”Iran’s state-run Islamic News Agency reported that the proposal was submitted to mediators in Pakistan on Thursday night. Negotiations continue through indirect channels, although each side accuses the other of violating the fragile ceasefire.