US Treasury Secretary: "Sanctions on Two Iranian Airlines... Tolls in Strait Will Not Be Tolerated"

Warning to Oman: "Sanctions if Participating in Transit Fee Collection"

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has ramped up economic pressure on Iran by imposing additional sanctions targeting Iranian airlines and even the transit system through the Strait of Hormuz.

On May 28 (local time), Scott Bessent, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, announced via X (formerly Twitter) that "all landings, refueling, and ticket sales for two Iranian airlines will be completely blocked." The names of the airlines were not disclosed.

Scott Bessent, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. Photo by Yonhap News

Secretary Bessent stated, "The Treasury Department continues its campaign of 'economic fury' targeting the Iranian regime," and added, "Iranian soldiers are not being paid, police are not reporting to work, and Kharg Island, the country's main oil export hub, has also been shut down." He emphasized the impact of the pressure, saying, "Iran's economy and currency are plummeting."

Previously, the U.S. Treasury Department also included the newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), which Iran set up to manage transit through the Strait of Hormuz, in its list of sanctioned entities. This measure was taken to block Iran's attempt to impose tolls on civilian vessels.

Secretary Bessent warned, "No company or government agency should pay tolls to Iran or disguise such payments as humanitarian aid," and stressed, "Any attempt to introduce a toll collection system in the Strait of Hormuz will not be tolerated."

He also publicly pressured Oman, which shares jurisdiction over the Strait of Hormuz with Iran. He stated, "Oman must keep in mind that any actor, whether directly or indirectly involved in enabling toll collection in the strait, could become the target of aggressive Treasury Department sanctions," further warning, "Any partners attempting to participate will be punished."

These remarks are seen as a response to statements made on May 23 by Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, who asserted that "the issue of the Strait of Hormuz is unrelated to the United States, and Iran is strengthening cooperation with Oman." The United States appears to be countering moves by Iran and Oman to establish a toll system for the strait, aiming to block Iran's growing influence over this key global oil shipping route.

Despite these hardline measures, negotiations to end the conflict are continuing. The United States and Iran are holding last-minute talks over Iran's nuclear program and the release of frozen assets; however, sporadic armed clashes between the two sides persist, with tensions continuing even as a ceasefire remains in effect.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.