US Reimposes Sanctions, Now Targeting Hormuz Strait Authority

The US government has imposed sanctions on Iran’s specialised authority controlling shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the US Department of the Treasury.

“The following entity has been added to the OFAC Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list: Persian Gulf Strait Authority,” said the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Wednesday, 27 May.

On 28 February, the US and Israel launched a joint attack on several targets in Iran, including Tehran, causing damage and civilian casualties.

Iran retaliated by launching attacks on Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East in self-defence.

On 7 April, Washington and Tehran announced a ceasefire. Further talks held in Islamabad concluded without breakthrough.

Heightened tensions over Iran have led to a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for oil and liquefied natural gas shipments from the Persian Gulf to global markets, impacting oil exports and production.

As a result of the blockade, most countries worldwide have experienced rising fuel and industrial product prices.

US-Iran tensions escalated following cross-attacks in Bandar Abbas and Kuwait’s involvement, threatening peace negotiations and the Strait of Hormuz’s stability.

US President Donald Trump threatened to attack Oman unless it submits to US control of the Strait of Hormuz and signs the Abraham Accords.

He said the Dutch government is exploring options to deploy mine-clearing vessels to the Strait of Hormuz with allied nations.

Oman is one of at least 15 countries that have been threatened with attack or actually attacked by Trump.