The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has warned global shipping that any engagement with Iranian entities in the Strait of Hormuz—including replies to information requests when no money changes hands—can create significant sanctions liability. The August 24, 2026 alert builds on a May 1 notice and names the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), the Persian Gulf Marine Insurance Company (PGMIC) and HormuzSafe Marine Services Authority, designated in May and July 2026 for sanctions evasion tied to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called their demands for vessel data, insurance payments and tolls an IRGC-backed extortion scheme; OFAC said payments may be sought in forms including digital assets. The warning is part of the “Economic Fury” campaign, under which OFAC has sanctioned more than 100 vessels linked to Iran’s shadow fleet since early 2026. It follows PGSA’s blacklisting of 45 oil tankers for alleged Hormuz transit violations, with threats of fines, detention or cargo confiscation affecting VLCCs, LNG and LPG carriers and product tankers operated by firms including Bahri, ADNOC Logistics and Services, Navig8 Tankers, Klaveness Ship Management, Stolt Tankers and Sinokor.