Iran Defies US Sanctions, Vows Strait of Hormuz Will Remain Beyond Washington’s Control
ISTANBUL: Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority has dismissed newly imposed US sanctions, insisting that Washington will not succeed in gaining control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz through economic pressure.
In a statement released on Friday, the authority strongly criticized the sanctions, describing them as ineffective and politically motivated. The agency said being sanctioned by a country “whose president boasts about piracy” was a reflection of its successful performance in managing maritime traffic through the crucial waterway.
“You failed to gain control of the Strait of Hormuz through military means and diplomacy, and you will not achieve it through sanctions either,” the authority said in a post on X.
The agency emphasized that it continues to process transit requests and issue passage permits to non-hostile vessels without interruption, despite what it described as provocative actions by the United States in the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It also announced plans to publish operational statistics for its first month of activities in the near future.
The latest dispute follows sanctions imposed by the US Treasury Department on Wednesday. Washington accused the Persian Gulf Strait Authority of operating as an extortion mechanism for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), alleging that commercial ships are forced to pay tolls and provide sensitive information in exchange for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to US officials, revenue collected through the system is allegedly directed to the IRGC. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions are part of broader efforts to increase pressure on Tehran and warned that organizations cooperating with the authority could also face sanctions.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, handling a significant portion of global oil and gas shipments.
Regional tensions have remained high since military strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran in late February. Tehran responded with attacks targeting Israel and US allies in the Gulf, while also moving to close the Strait of Hormuz during the escalation.
Although a ceasefire mediated by Pakistan came into effect on April 8, efforts to secure a long-term agreement have yet to succeed. Discussions have continued through a series of proposals and counterproposals aimed at restoring direct negotiations and reducing tensions across the region.