Shippers advised to avoid Iranian waters due to heightened US-Iran tensions.
Western-Backed Maritime Forces Warn Shippers to Stay Clear of Iranian Waters
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—In a stark advisory, Western-backed maritime forces in the Middle East have issued a warning to shippers traveling through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. They are urging vessels to stay as far away from Iranian territorial waters as possible to avoid being seized. This comes amidst heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S.
Earlier this year, a similar warning was issued before Iran seized two tankers near the strait. The narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, through which 20 percent of the world’s oil passes, has become a hotbed of tension.
While Iran and the U.S. appear to be nearing a deal that would release billions of Iranian assets held in South Korea in exchange for the freedom of five Iranian-Americans detained in Tehran, the recent warning highlights the ongoing high tensions at sea. The U.S. is even considering placing armed troops on commercial ships in the strait as a deterrent against Iran.
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U.S. Navy Cmdr. Timothy Hawkins, a spokesman for the Mideast-based 5th Fleet, confirmed the issuance of the warning but declined to provide specific details.
The International Maritime Security Construct, a U.S.-backed maritime group, is responsible for notifying regional mariners about precautions to minimize the risk of seizure due to current tensions. Cmdr. Hawkins stated, “Vessels are being advised to transit as far away from Iranian territorial waters as possible.”
Additionally, a European Union-led maritime organization monitoring shipping in the strait has issued a warning of a possible attack on a merchant vessel within the next 12 to 72 hours. Private intelligence firm Ambrey noted that a similar warning in the past resulted in the seizure of a merchant vessel by Iranian authorities under false pretenses.
The European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz, the EU-led mission, has not yet responded to requests for comment.
The Strait of Hormuz, located in the territorial waters of Iran and Oman, is only 33 kilometers (21 miles) wide at its narrowest point. The shipping lane in either direction is a mere 3 kilometers (2 miles) wide. Any disruption in this crucial passage has a ripple effect on global energy markets, potentially impacting the price of crude oil and, consequently, the cost of gasoline and other oil products for consumers.
Since 2019, there have been numerous attacks on ships attributed to Iran, following the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and the reimposition of sanctions.
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