According to Cointelegraph on April 11, Kaitlin Martin, a senior intelligence analyst at Chainalysis, stated that shipping companies using cryptocurrency to pay transit fees that may be destined for Iran could face severe sanctions risks.
Martin pointed out that under the current sanctions framework, any payments made to the Iranian regime, including those related to passage through key waterways, could be interpreted as "material support," exposing companies to the risk of violating U.S. and international restrictions.
"Doing so could carry significant sanctions violation risks, as the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps is sanctioned by multiple jurisdictions, and Iran is also subject to comprehensive U.S. sanctions," she said.
Previous reports indicated that Iran might seek to collect transit fees in the form of cryptocurrency. Although this has not been officially confirmed, U.S. President Trump has stated that he would not accept any attempts by Tehran to impose tolls on shipping passing through this crucial waterway.