The United States has imposed new sanctions on entities connected to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), accusing them of extorting ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz.
The measures, announced Wednesday, target specific groups within the IRGC network that Washington alleges are leveraging the strategic waterway to extract payments from commercial traffic.
This development adds a new layer of geopolitical friction to an already tense shipping corridor.
The sanctions come as global markets remain sensitive to disruptions in the Strait, which handles a significant portion of the world's oil trade.
By targeting the financial mechanisms allegedly used to extort transit fees, the US aims to deter coercive practices without directly escalating military confrontation in the region.
The move follows recent reports of US vessels being redirected due to persistent blockade risks in the area.