US Warns Its Ships to Steer Clear of Iranian Waters in Gulf

The US Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration issued an advisory on Monday warning American-flagged commercial vessels to avoid Iranian territorial waters in the Gulf region. The advisory urged ships to remain as far as possible from Iran's territorial seas without compromising navigational safety. Eastbound vessels in the Strait of Hormuz were advised to stay close to Oman's territorial waters to minimise risk. Iranian forces have reportedly hailed, boarded, detained, or seized commercial vessels in the area for years. The US recommended ships keep their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders on, as some seizures were claimed to result from vessels not transmitting on AIS. This advisory comes amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran, with Washington increasing its military presence in the region.