The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, an Iranian body overseeing shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The authority was added to the Specially Designated Nationals List under the US Economic Fury campaign. The move comes as the US accuses the authority of imposing illegitimate tolls on commercial traffic and compelling vessels to follow Iranian directives for safe passage.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control highlighted that cooperation with the Iranian authority could lead to sanctions risk. US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent criticized the Iranian military’s actions, stating that their attempts to extort global maritime trade demonstrate the regime’s desperation for cash. Iran recently launched the Persian Gulf Strait Authority to manage the Strait of Hormuz, requiring vessels to coordinate with Iranian authorities for passage.
President Donald Trump, speaking during a White House cabinet meeting, expressed dissatisfaction with ongoing negotiations with Iran. Trump emphasized that Washington is prepared to resume military action if its demands are not met. He stated that Iran would not receive sanctions relief in exchange for giving up its highly enriched uranium, indicating a firm stance in the negotiations.
