DUBAI, May 2: The United States has issued a stark warning to international shipping companies, cautioning that they could face sanctions if they make payments to Iran to ensure safe passage through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The alert, released by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Friday, intensifies the ongoing diplomatic and economic pressure between the U.S. and Iran concerning maritime access in the vital waterway.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas trade typically transits the strait, which lies at the entrance to the Persian Gulf. In the context of escalating tensions, Iran has implemented measures that have effectively restricted normal traffic, including threats and attacks on vessels. More recently, Iran has begun offering some ships safe passage by diverting them through alternative routes closer to its coast, often levying fees for this service. This practice of collecting payments, described as a “tollbooth” effort, is the focal point of the U.S. sanctions advisory.
OFAC specified that these payment demands could encompass various forms, including cash, digital assets, offsets, informal swaps, or other in-kind arrangements, as well as charitable donations and payments made at Iranian embassies. The advisory explicitly stated that the sanctions risks are applicable regardless of the payment method, and apply to both U.S. and non-U.S. persons who solicit guarantees or make payments to the Iranian regime for safe passage.
The U.S. had previously responded to Iran’s actions by establishing its own naval blockade on April 13, aimed at preventing Iranian tankers from departing and cutting off crucial oil revenue for Iran’s economy. According to statements from the U.S. Central Command, 45 commercial ships have been instructed to turn back since the commencement of this blockade.
Trump Rejects Iranian Proposal
The issuance of the sanctions warning coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump’s swift rejection of Iran’s most recent proposal intended to resolve the ongoing conflict between the two nations. President Trump stated at the White House that while Iran desires to negotiate a deal, he is not satisfied with its current terms, adding, “we’ll see what happens.” He did not provide specific details regarding the perceived shortcomings of the proposal but conveyed his frustration with the Iranian leadership, describing it as “very disjointed.”
Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported that the country submitted its plan to mediators in Pakistan on Thursday night. The fragile three-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran appears to be holding, despite mutual accusations of violations. The continued standoff is increasingly impacting the global economy, contributing to rising prices and shortages of fuel and other commodities linked to the oil sector.
Negotiations have been proceeding via telephone calls, following President Trump’s cancellation of his envoys’ planned trip to Pakistan the previous week. Earlier in the week, Trump had put forth a new proposal aimed at reopening the critical passageway utilized by American allies in the Gulf for their oil and gas exports.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has reportedly briefed numerous regional counterparts on Iran’s initiatives to end the conflict, according to his social media updates. He also engaged in discussions on Friday with Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who is coordinating with the EU’s Gulf partners.
China Urges Iran to Lift Restrictions
Fu Cong, China’s Ambassador to the United Nations, emphasized on Friday that maintaining the ceasefire is the “most urgent issue.” He also called for bringing the parties together to resume good-faith negotiations to lay the groundwork for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Fu stated that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has been in continuous communication with representatives from all involved parties and affirmed China’s support for Pakistan’s mediation efforts.
Fu Cong further stressed that the root cause of the extensive suffering in Iran and neighboring countries, along with the escalating global economic turmoil, particularly in developing nations, is the “illegitimate war by the U.S. and Israel.”
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The Chenab Times News Desk
