US threatens shipping firms with sanctions if they pay Iran tolls

The US has warned shipping companies they could face sanctions if they pay Iran for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. "Maritime industry participants involved with vessels calling at Iranian ports face significant sanctions risk under multiple sanctions authorities targeting Iran's shipping sector and ports", OFAC said. Iran has severely limited traffic through the strait since the war began in February. The US has also enforced a naval blockade on Iranian ports. Iran has called the US interception of ships entering and leaving Iranian ports under the blockade "piracy". Tehran says it has collected tolls from ships in order to navigate freely through the strait, with Hamidreza Haji Bababei, deputy speaker of Iran's Parliament, last week claiming the first toll revenue had been deposited with the country's Central Bank. No further detail was provided on the amount of the toll, the method of collection nor who paid it. The BBC could not independently verify this claim.