DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Western-backed maritime forces within the Middle East warned shippers touring by way of the strategic Strait of Hormuz to remain as distant from Iranian territorial waters as attainable to keep away from being seized, a stark advisory amid heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S.
An analogous warning went out to shippers earlier this yr forward of Iran seizing two tankers touring close to the strait, the slender mouth of the Persian Gulf by way of which 20% of the world’s oil passes.
While Iran and the U.S. now close to an obvious deal that may see billions of Iranian belongings held in South Korea unfrozen in alternate for the discharge of 5 Iranian-Americans detained in Tehran, the warning issued this weekend reveals that the tensions stay excessive at sea.
Already, the U.S. is exploring plans to place armed troops on business ships within the strait to discourage Iran amid a buildup of troops, ships and plane within the area.
U.S. Navy Cmdr. Timothy Hawkins, a spokesman for the Mideast-based fifth Fleet, acknowledged the warning had been given, however declined to debate specifics about it.
A U.S.-backed maritime group referred to as the International Maritime Security Construct “is notifying regional mariners of appropriate precautions to minimize the risk of seizure based on current regional tensions, which we seek to de-escalate,” Hawkins mentioned. “Vessels are being advised to transit as far away from Iranian territorial waters as possible.”
Separately, a European Union-led maritime group watching transport within the strait has “warned of a possibility of an attack on a merchant vessel of unknown flag in the Strait of Hormuz in the next 12 to 72 hours,” mentioned personal intelligence agency Ambrey.
“Previously, after a similar warning was issued, a merchant vessel was seized by Iranian authorities under a false pretext,” the agency warned.
The EU-led mission, referred to as the European Maritime Awareness within the Strait of Hormuz, didn’t reply to a request for remark.
Hours later, the British army’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which additionally supplies warnings to sailors within the Persian Gulf, issued its personal alert.
“UKMTO have been made aware of an increased threat within the vicinity of Strait Of Hormuz,” the warning mentioned. “All vessels transiting are advised to exercise caution and report suspicious activity to UKMTO.”
Iran’s state-run IRNA information company cited this AP report with out quoting any Iranian officers about it. Iran’s mission to the United Nations didn’t reply to a request for remark.
The Strait of Hormuz is within the territorial waters of Iran and Oman, which at its narrowest level is simply 21 miles large. The width of the transport lane in both route is just 2 miles. Anything affecting it ripples by way of international power markets, probably elevating the value of crude oil.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”