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THE U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control has warned global shipping companies they risk sanctions if they make payments to Iran in exchange for safe passage through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, intensifying pressure in the ongoing confrontation between United States and Iran.
In an alert issued on Friday, the agency said such payments — described as part of a so-called “tollbooth” system — could take multiple forms, including cash, digital assets, offsets, informal swaps or in-kind transfers such as charitable donations or payments made via Iranian embassies.
“OFAC is issuing this alert to warn U.S. and non-U.S. 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,” AP reported it saying on Saturday.
The warning comes as Iran continues to restrict maritime movement through the strait following the outbreak of war on 28 February, when US and Israeli forces launched strikes against Iranian targets. Tehran subsequently disrupted shipping by attacking and threatening vessels, before allowing limited transit via routes closer to its coastline, sometimes in exchange for fees.
Roughly a fifth of global oil and natural gas trade typically passes through the narrow waterway during peacetime, making the disruption a major concern for international markets.
Washington responded on 13 April by imposing its own naval blockade, preventing Iranian tankers from leaving port and further escalating tensions. The United States Central Command said 45 commercial vessels have been forced to turn back since the blockade began.
Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remain uncertain. US President Donald Trump on Friday rejected Tehran’s latest proposal to halt the war, signalling dissatisfaction with its terms.
“They want to make a deal, I’m not satisfied with it, so we’ll see what happens,” Trump said at the White House, adding: “It’s a very disjointed leadership. They all want to make a deal, but they’re all messed up.”
Iran’s proposal was reportedly conveyed to mediators in Pakistan, as indirect negotiations continue following the cancellation of a planned US diplomatic visit.
A fragile three-week ceasefire remains in place, although both sides have accused each other of violations.
The standoff is increasingly weighing on the global economy, contributing to rising energy prices and supply disruptions. Efforts are under way to reopen the strait, a critical export route for Gulf producers allied with Washington.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has engaged regional counterparts and held talks with European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in a bid to advance diplomatic solutions.
In a separate development, Iranian authorities announced the execution of two men convicted of spying for Israel, underscoring heightened internal security tensions. State media said the individuals were accused of passing sensitive information to Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad.
International concern remains high. Fu Cong, China’s envoy to the United Nations, urged all sides to preserve the ceasefire and resume negotiations, describing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as an urgent priority.
He added that the root cause of instability and economic disruption in the region stems from what he described as “the illegitimate war by the U.S. and Israel,” reflecting deep divisions among global powers over the conflict. - May 2, 2026
