Ships anchored in the Strait of Hormuz near Larak Island, Iran. (Majid Saeedi/Getty Images/Bloomberg)Key Takeaways: The U.S. sanctioned two Iranian companies and eight shadow-fleet operators July 29, targeting entities tied to Strait of Hormuz transit fees and oil shipments. Treasury said the companies require vessels to buy maritime insurance for Hormuz passage as Iran seeks greater control over the waterway. The sanctions come after a failed U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding and renewed fighting, as Washington presses Tehran to resume negotiations. Tehran has sought to cement its control of Hormuz, demanding vessels obtain its permission to transit and firing on those that do not.