The United States government has announced new sanctions against Iran, targeting entities linked to efforts to regulate and generate revenue from shipping activities in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, amid escalating tensions over control of the key global energy route.
According to U.S. officials, the latest measures are directed at Iranian institutions accused of attempting to impose tolls and regulate vessel movement through the waterway, which carries a significant share of global oil shipments. The sanctions form part of a broader economic pressure campaign aimed at restricting Iran’s ability to finance its military and maritime operations.
The Treasury Department said the targeted body was created to oversee shipping requests and manage transit through the strait, but warned that cooperation with the entity could expose foreign companies and financial institutions to secondary sanctions. Officials further stated that any payment of transit fees to Iranian-controlled bodies could be treated as support for sanctioned networks.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the move as part of efforts to counter what Washington views as attempts by Tehran to “extort global maritime trade,” adding that the policy is intended to increase financial pressure on Iran’s leadership. He warned that international shipping firms and banks engaging with the sanctioned system risk losing access to the U.S. financial network.
The action comes as the Iran continues to assert influence over maritime activity in the strait, a chokepoint through which a large portion of global energy supplies pass. The dispute has raised concerns among global markets, particularly due to the potential impact on oil prices and shipping routes.
Analysts say the sanctions highlight Washington’s continued reliance on economic measures to deter Iranian control over the waterway, while also signalling that companies operating in the region must avoid any arrangements that could be interpreted as compliance with Iranian toll systems.
The U.S. has maintained that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to international navigation under global maritime rules, warning that any attempt to restrict free passage could further escalate geopolitical and economic tensions in the region.
