Avoid Iranian waters to avoid seizure

Western naval forces operating in the Gulf warned ships sailing in the strategic Strait of Hormuz against approaching Iranian waters to avoid the risk of seizure, according to statements issued over the weekend.

"Vessels are being advised to transit as far away from Iranian territorial waters as possible" to minimise the risk of seizure, US Fifth Fleet spokesperson Commander Tim Hawkins told AFP.

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The International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC), led by Washington, is "notifying regional mariners of appropriate precautions to minimize the risk of seizure based on current regional tensions, which we seek to de-escalate," he added.

The alliance, established in 2019, is made up of 11 countries, including the United States, Great Britain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Its mission, according to its website, is to "provide reassurance to merchant shipping in the Middle East region".

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said late Saturday in a statement that it had been "made aware of an increased threat within the vicinity of Strait Of Hormuz", through which one-third of the world's oil transported by sea passes. The agency advised all vessels to "exercise caution and report suspicious activity to UKMTO".