U.S. Sanctions Persian Gulf Strait Authority Over Hormuz Toll Scheme, Warning Shippers of SDN Risks
Updated
Updated · The Jerusalem Post · May 28
U.S. Sanctions Persian Gulf Strait Authority Over Hormuz Toll Scheme, Warning Shippers of SDN Risks
2 articles · Updated · The Jerusalem Post · May 28
The Treasury added the Persian Gulf Strait Authority to its SDN blacklist on Wednesday, accusing the Iranian body of running a passage-fee scheme for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Treasury said the authority is tied to the IRGC and was designated under counterterrorism powers because it allegedly helps monetize Iran’s "state-sponsored terror" through maritime extortion.
OFAC had already said this month that Iran was demanding payments for safe passage, with options including cash, digital assets, offsets, bargains and covert transfers to embassy accounts.
The move warns anyone dealing with the PSGA they could face U.S. sanctions, extending Washington’s "Economic Fury" campaign to choke off Iranian revenue tied to oil, weapons and proxy networks.
Is the US strategy to cripple Iran's economy inadvertently causing a global energy crisis?
Can the world's mightiest navy defeat thousands of Iranian sea mines to reopen the global oil artery?
With both US and Iran rejecting the Law of the Sea, who writes the rules for the world's most vital waterway?
Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Iran’s $2 Million Toll Scheme, U.S. Sanctions, and the Global Energy Shock of 2026
Overview
In May 2026, Iran established the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) to impose a new toll scheme and assert control over maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. All vessels passing through this vital waterway must now obtain permits from the PGSA, effectively allowing Iran to levy fees on international shipping. This move has triggered strong international condemnation and a swift response from the United States, which sanctioned the PGSA under counterterrorism laws. The U.S. views Iran’s actions as a threat to global security and commerce, further escalating tensions and disrupting commercial shipping in the region.