"If Iranian forces board a US-flagged commercial vessel, the crew should not forcibly resist the boarding party. Refraining from forcible resistance does not imply consent or agreement to that boarding, the guidelines read. It is recommended that US-flagged commercial vessels transiting these waters remain as far as possible from Iran's territorial sea without compromising navigational safety. When transiting eastbound in the Strait of Hormuz, it is recommended that vessels transit close to Oman's territorial sea."
"Global shipping lanes and commercial vessels have historically been threatened by geopolitical turmoil, especially in the Middle East. During the Iran-Iraq conflict in the 1980s, both countries targeted merchant ships in what became known as the Tanker War. More recently, Yemen's Houthi group launched attacks against Israel-linked ships in the Red Sea in a campaign that the group said was aimed at ending Israel's genocidal war on Gaza."
The US Maritime Administration issued guidelines urging US-flagged commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to avoid Iran's territorial waters when possible and to refuse Iranian requests to board. If Iranian forces board a US-flagged vessel, crews should not use forcible resistance, and non-resistance does not imply consent to boarding. Vessels are advised to remain as far as safely possible from Iran's territorial sea, and eastbound traffic should transit close to Oman's territorial sea. The guidance followed indirect talks between the US and Iran in Oman amid weeks of escalating rhetoric and threats that risked direct conflict. Historical incidents such as the 1980s Tanker War and recent Houthi attacks on Israel-linked ships illustrate ongoing geopolitical threats to global shipping lanes. An Iranian lawmaker suggested closing the Strait of Hormuz as a potential escalation, and the US describes Hormuz as a critical oil chokepoint.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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