The US Treasury Department has issued a warning to shippers regarding the payment of tolls to Iran for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route through which approximately 20% of the world's seaborne crude oil and liquefied natural gas flows. The advisory from the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) indicates that any payments, including those disguised as charitable donations to organizations like the Iranian Red Crescent Society, could expose shippers to punitive sanctions. Reports suggest that at least one payment of $2 million has already been made for a vessel's passage. This warning coincides with Iran's latest proposals for negotiations with the US, mediated by Pakistan, aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict. OFAC emphasized that the risks of sanctions apply regardless of the payment method, which may include fiat currency, digital assets, or in-kind contributions. Additionally, the Treasury has imposed new sanctions on three Iranian foreign currency exchange houses and a Panama-flagged oil tanker, reinforcing its commitment to targeting Iran's financial operations.