The Trump administration has stepped up pressure on Iran by imposing sanctions on additional individuals, companies, and ships. It also warned shipping firms worldwide not to pay Iran for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, or they may face penalties from the US.
On 1 May 2026 GMT+7, the US government under President Donald Trump announced a new set of sanctions against Iran, targeting individuals, companies, and shipping firms, including some based in China. This latest move followed US sanctions against an Iranian shadow banking network announced the previous Tuesday, involving 35 groups and individuals accused of helping Iran evade international financial restrictions.
Furthermore, the US Treasury issued a warning to global shipping companies that paying Iran in exchange for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz could violate US sanctions.
The US Office of Foreign Assets Control reported receiving information that Iran has been threatening cargo ships and demanding passage fees to allow safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz. The US Treasury emphasized that such payments are generally prohibited, even if claimed to be humanitarian donations to organizations like the Iranian Red Crescent Society. Additionally, the US warned that transactions with the Iranian government, Iran's digital asset markets, or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps could lead to civil and criminal prosecution.
The US classifies the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization and states that foreign companies involved in enabling Americans to violate sanctions may face severe penalties from the US government. This latest action reflects ongoing high tensions in the Middle East despite prior efforts by both the US and Iran to open negotiation channels through several intermediary countries.