U.S. Treasury Warns Against Paying Tolls for Hormuz Passage Amid Sanctions
The U.S. Treasury has issued a warning to shippers regarding the payment of tolls to Iran for passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The advisory, released by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), highlights the risk of punitive sanctions for any payments made to Iran, including those disguised as charitable donations. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime route, with approximately 20% of the world's seaborne crude oil and liquefied natural gas passing through it. Iran has proposed fees for vessels traversing the Strait as part of its efforts to end the conflict with Israel and the United States. The Treasury's warning comes amid reports of indirect payments being made, including a $2 million payment for safe passage. OFAC has also imposed new sanctions on three Iranian foreign currency exchange houses and their associated front companies, targeting Iran's financial transactions.