US Warns Shippers Against Paying Iran for Hormuz Passage

The United States Treasury Department has issued a formal warning to international shipping companies, stating that payments made to Iran or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz may trigger punitive sanctions.

The move targets Iranian demands for payments from vessels traversing the blockaded waterway, which include requests for funds to be delivered in the form of charitable donations. The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has clarified that such toll payments are prohibited.

Sanctions Guidance and Compliance Risks

According to guidance released by OFAC, the U.S. Government is treating these transit fees as a violation of existing sanctions regimes. The Treasury Department has explicitly responded No to inquiries regarding whether paying transit fees to Iran is permitted, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to these transactions.

The warnings extend beyond U.S. Entities. Reporting indicates that non-U.S. Persons and international firms may also be subject to sanctions if they comply with Iranian demands for payment to ensure the safe transit of their cargo through the strait.

This regulatory pressure is part of a broader effort by the administration of President Donald Trump to intensify economic constraints on Tehran. The Treasury’s action aims to dismantle what some observers have described as a tollbooth system established by Iran in the strategic waterway.

Broader Economic Pressure on Iran

The warning regarding the Strait of Hormuz coincides with a wider crackdown on Iran’s financial networks. On April 28, 2026, the U.S. Government imposed sanctions on 35 entities and individuals cited for their roles in Iran’s shadow banking sector.

the U.S. Has threatened sanctions against banking institutions that continue to conduct business with Chinese teapot refineries, which are often used to bypass official oil export restrictions.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, serving as the primary exit route for oil and gas exports from the Persian Gulf. The introduction of these “safe passage” fees by Iran creates a significant compliance risk for global shipping firms, who must now choose between paying the Iranian authorities to avoid seizure or harassment and risking severe financial penalties from the U.S. Treasury.