Overview
- New Maritime Administration guidance instructs U.S.-flagged vessels to remain as far as possible from Iran’s territorial sea without compromising navigational safety.
- Captains are told to verbally refuse permission for Iranian forces to board, assert rights under international law, and avoid forcible resistance if a boarding occurs.
- Eastbound transits should stay close to Oman’s territorial sea, reflecting a more prescriptive routing to reduce seizure or harassment risks.
- The advisory cites recent incidents including boarding attempts that sought to push ships into Iranian waters and an Iranian drone downed near a U.S. Navy carrier.
- The updated notice, effective through Aug. 8, was issued as Washington and Tehran hold indirect talks in Oman and as the Hormuz chokepoint continues to carry roughly one-third of global seaborne crude.