The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a warning to Iran, stating that any payment for safe passage or guarantee of non-attack on shipping lanes near its coast would be subject to sanctions. Donald Trump emphasized that the U.S. is akin to pirates, referring to the potential capture of Iranian ships by the U.S. Navy, escalating tensions. This situation intensifies the maritime security competition and economic pressure between the U.S. and Iran.