US threatens sanctions on shipping companies paying Iran for passage through Strait of Hormuz

The United States is tightening the screws on Iran's illicit financial activities, with the Treasury Department issuing a stark warning to international shipping companies. Any firm that continues to pay Iran for passage through the critical Strait of Hormuz, even through seemingly innocuous channels like "charitable donations" to entities such as the Iranian Red Crescent, now faces the real threat of U.S. sanctions. This move underscores Washington's determination to cut off revenue streams that could potentially fund destabilizing activities in the region.

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Όποιες ναυτιλιακές πληρώνουν ακόμη μέσω φιλανθρωπικών δωρεών σε οργανισμούς του Ιράν, κινδυνεύουν με τιμωρητικά μέτρα, προειδοποίησε το υπουργείο Οικονομικών των ΗΠΑ

Tehran has recently proposed various payment schemes for vessels transiting the Strait, framing them as tolls or fees for safe passage. However, the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has made it clear that these payments, regardless of their form—be it fiat currency, digital assets, or in-kind contributions—are unacceptable. The warning explicitly mentions organizations like Bonyad Mostazafan and even payments to Iranian embassies, leaving no room for ambiguity. The message is clear: engaging in such financial transactions with the Iranian regime carries significant risks.

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Η Τεχεράνη έχει προτείνει, τα πλοία που διέρχονται από τα Στενά, να καταβάλουν χρήματα – αλλιώς διόδια – στο πλαίσιο προτάσεων για τον τερματισμό του αμερικανοϊσραηλινού πολέμου στο Ιράν.

This development is particularly significant given Iran's recent overtures towards negotiations with the U.S. via Pakistani mediators. While Tehran may be seeking to de-escalate tensions or explore avenues for sanctions relief, its continued attempts to monetize strategic waterways like the Strait of Hormuz are being met with firm resistance from Washington. From a Greek perspective, where a significant portion of the global shipping fleet is registered, adherence to international sanctions and avoiding entanglement in geopolitical disputes is paramount. "Ta Nea" reports on this U.S. threat, highlighting the complex and often perilous environment in which Greek maritime businesses operate, constantly navigating the intersection of international trade and geopolitical tensions.

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Η OFAC εκδίδει αυτήν την προειδοποίηση για να προειδοποιήσει τους Αμερικανούς και μη Αμερικανούς πολίτες σχετικά με τους κινδύνους κυρώσεων που ενέχει η πραγματοποίηση αυτών των πληρωμών προς το ιρανικό καθεστώς ή η αναζήτηση εγγυήσεων από αυτό.