Commercial ships told to stay far away from Iran due to a heightened possibility of attack or seizure

INSIDER-Aug 12th2023

Charles R. Davis

A US Navy official on Saturday warned shippers traversing waters near Iran to stay “as far away” as possible from the Islamic Republic’s territorial waters amid fears that a boat could be seized in the coming days.

Already this year Iran has seized two oil tankers, one traveling through the Strait of Hormuz and another in the Gulf of Oman, including one carrying crude oil for Chevron. Iran has claimed, without evidence, that the seizures were carried out due to regulatory and safety issues.

Speaking to the Associated Press, US Navy Cmdr. Timothy Hawkins said ships “are being advised to transit as far away from Iranian territorial waters as possible,” noting a warning issued by the US-based International Maritime Security Construct. A European maritime organization has also warned that a ship could be seized “in the next 12 to 72 hours,” according to a private intelligence analysis cited by the AP.

Since 2021, Iran has “harassed, attacked, or interfered with” the navigation rights of 15 internationally flagged merchant ships, according to the US Navy. That has prompted the Biden administration to deploy more military assets in the region — and to consider placing US soldiers on certain commercial vessels, a move meant to dissuade Iran from trying to thwart their passage but which critics, including the Islamic Republic itself, say could escalate tensions.

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https://www.businessinsider.com/shippers-told-to-stay-far-away-from-iran-seizure-fears-2023-8