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The United States Treasury announced fresh sanctions on Wednesday against Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority, a newly established agency responsible for collecting transit fees from vessels travelling through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused Tehran of attempting to pressure global maritime trade through the new policy.
“The Iranian military’s latest attempt to extort global maritime trade is proof that Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash,” Bessent said.
The Treasury Department also warned international companies and ship operators that making payments to the Iranian agency could expose them to American sanctions. According to the statement, anyone paying the fees “may be providing support to and receiving services from” Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
Washington considers the Revolutionary Guards a terrorist organisation and has imposed extensive economic restrictions targeting entities linked to the force. The latest sanctions form part of ongoing efforts by the United States to increase pressure on Tehran amid rising tensions in the Gulf region.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important shipping routes, with a significant share of global oil and gas exports passing through the narrow waterway each day. Any disruption in the area often sparks concerns over international trade, energy supplies and regional security.
