The USS New Orleans sails in the Arabian Sea on April 28, 2026, during the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. (U.S. Central Command)
The United States has warned the maritime industry that shippers will be subject to sanctions if they pay Iran’s tolls to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
On Friday, the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said it will “not hesitate to take action against those supporting Iran’s military, including through ‘toll’ payments. Maritime service providers should conduct enhanced due diligence around transits through the Strait of Hormuz.”
Iran has said it might demand payment “in fiat currency, digital assets, offsets, informal swap, or other in-kind payments, such as nominally charitable donations made to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, Bonyad Mostazafan or Iranian embassy accounts,” the U.S. Treasury statement said.
Iran effectively closed the strait after the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Feb. 28, though it has offered some ships safe passage via routes closer to its shore, sometimes charging fees.
A U.S. naval blockade targeting Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman began on April 13.
U.S. Central Command said Saturday in a post on X that over the last 20 days 48 vessels have been redirected to ensure compliance with the blockade.
The Pentagon has estimated that the blockade has cost Iran $4.8 billion in lost oil revenue, according to reports from Axios and The Hill.