--- title: "US Escalates Sanctions on Iran, Targeting Hormuz \"Toll Network\" for the First Time; Tankers, Shipping and Insurance Companies Blacklisted" type: "News" locale: "en" url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/294238428.md" description: "The US Treasury Department announced a new round of sanctions against shipping networks assisting Iran in collecting \"tolls\" and transporting oil through the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first time such a fee collection system has been targeted. Entities listed include Persian Gulf Marine Insurance Co, HormuzSafe Marine Services Authority, and related tankers and shipping firms. The US aims to cut off Iran's channels for generating revenue through its maritime system to support military activities" datetime: "2026-07-29T17:16:21.000Z" locales: - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/294238428.md) - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/294238428.md) - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/294238428.md) --- # US Escalates Sanctions on Iran, Targeting Hormuz "Toll Network" for the First Time; Tankers, Shipping and Insurance Companies Blacklisted The United States is further expanding the scope of sanctions against Iran's maritime and oil revenue systems. On Wednesday, the 29th (US Eastern Time), the US Treasury Department announced a new round of sanctions against a network that helps Iran collect so-called "tolls" from international shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz and assists in transporting Iranian oil. Multiple tankers, shipping companies, and related entities were added to the sanctions list. The US Treasury stated that this network provides a significant source of funding for the Iranian government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and the US will continue to disrupt Iran's ability to generate revenue through its maritime system. This is the latest move in the US's recent continued tightening of economic pressure on Iran. For the first time, the US Treasury has targeted as a key focus the system by which Iran leverages its control over the Strait of Hormuz to generate shipping revenue, rather than limiting actions to traditional oil exports and financial channels. This indicates that the US is further expanding the scope of sanctions to cover Iran's entire maritime revenue network. ## US Targets Hormuz Toll System as Key Focus for the First Time According to an announcement by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Treasury Department, the new sanctions target a shipping network that has long assisted Iran in evading sanctions, transporting oil, and profiting by collecting fees in the Strait of Hormuz. The US Treasury stated that Iran uses its control over certain lanes in the Strait of Hormuz to impose so-called "tolls" on passing merchant vessels under the guise of transit permits and security escorts. The funds obtained ultimately flow to the Iranian government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to support their regional military activities and proxy networks. Among the newly sanctioned entities are two Iranian companies: Persian Gulf Marine Insurance Co and HormuzSafe Marine Services Authority. These entities require merchant vessels to purchase mandatory marine "insurance" when passing through the Strait of Hormuz. US Treasury Secretary Bessent stated that Iran is attempting to use its geographic location to turn international commercial shipping into a tool for generating illicit income and funding dangerous activities, and the US will continue to cut off its financing channels. The sanctions involve multiple tankers, ship management companies, shipping operators, and related enterprises. The US Treasury stated that these entities are suspected of assisting in the transport of Iranian oil, evading US sanctions, or participating in the Hormuz toll system. Their assets within the United States will be frozen, and US individuals and entities are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. Media outlets pointed out that this is the first time the US has explicitly treated Iran's so-called "Hormuz toll network" as an independent sanction target, rather than focusing solely on oil exports itself. This means the US government is further cracking down on the entire chain through which Iran generates revenue via maritime transport. ## Sanctions Background: Iran Recently Strengthened Claims of Control Over Hormuz Prior to the imposition of these sanctions, Iran recently released a series of strong signals regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Iran previously proposed a new transit plan for the Strait of Hormuz, requiring international ships to use waters controlled by Iran more frequently, rejecting Oman's proposal for lane adjustments, announcing that it would no longer recognize the long-standing Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), and opposing third-party participation in mine clearance operations in the strait. Analysts believe that the US sanctions directly target Iran's ability to generate fiscal revenue by leveraging the geographic advantages of the Strait of Hormuz, indicating that the rivalry between the two sides over global energy transport corridors has further escalated. ## Trump Issues Renewed Military Warning On the same day the US Treasury Department announced the new sanctions, US President Trump further escalated warnings against Iran following Iran's surprise attack on US forces stationed in the Middle East. According to CCTV News, Trump stated on the 29th that the US would retaliate after Iran launched missile attacks against US forces. Trump said the US would "hit Iran hard" and that Iran would suffer a "severe blow." He also stated that he did not rule out continuing strikes against regional proxy militias supported by Iran. Analysts believe that Trump's latest remarks largely reflect the current US policy toward Iran, which prioritizes economic pressure while maintaining parallel military deterrence. Compared to previous restrictions mainly focused on oil exports, this round of sanctions includes the Hormuz shipping toll system in its scope, showing that the US is attempting to further compress the space for Iran to generate foreign exchange revenue through maritime transport. Risk Warning and Disclaimer The market carries risks; investment should be approached with caution. This article does not constitute personal investment advice, nor does it take into account the specific investment objectives, financial status, or needs of individual users. Users should consider whether any opinions, views, or conclusions in this article are suitable for their specific circumstances. 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