U.S. urges ships to stay ‘as far as possible’ from Iran’s waters in Strait of Hormuz
An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) speedboat sailing near a cargo ship along the Persian Gulf.
Nurfoto | Nurfoto | Getty Images
Due to high tensions between Washington and Tehran, US-flagged ships have been advised to stay away from Iranian waters “as much as possible” while sailing in the Strait of Hormuz.
One don’t notice The U.S. Maritime Administration said in a statement issued Monday that ship captains should not allow Iranian forces to board U.S. ships.
The Ministry of Transport agency said boarding attempts, including forcing commercial ships into Iranian waters via small boats and helicopters, occurred as recently as Feb. 3.
The statement stated that if Iranian forces boarded a US-flagged commercial ship, the crew was advised “not to resist the departing party by force.” He added that refraining from forcible resistance does not constitute consent or agreement to board the plane.
The advisory recommended that ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz eastwards stay close to the Oman side of the waterway.
The guidance follows a series of indirect talks between the United States and Iran in Oman on Friday, focusing on how to approach discussions about Tehran’s nuclear program. The meeting was the first between the two countries since US bombers hit three Iranian nuclear facilities last June during the 12-day war with Iran.
Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian described the talks as follows: “a step forward” On the other hand, it signaled that these would be the opening phase of a longer diplomatic process rather than a path to a quick solution. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said: state media He said the talks were “a good start”.
President Donald Trump said the Oman talks were “very good” and more sessions were planned, but warned Iran of even worse consequences if a deal is not reached. “too steep” Consequences for Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet Trump in Washington on Wednesday to discuss US-Iran talks. Close US ally Israel has been lobbying Washington to force Iran to end its nuclear program, halt its ballistic missile program and end its support for militant groups in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, has been in the spotlight again this year after Trump warned of possible military action against Tehran.
Nearly 13 million barrels of crude oil per day passed through the Strait of Hormuz in 2025, accounting for almost a third of the global seaborne crude oil flow, according to data from market intelligence Kpler.
Any disruption to these flows will ripple through global energy markets. Iran had threatened to close the Bosphorus during past conflicts, which increased the possibility that oil prices would rise.
