US warns vessels to avoid Iranian waters amid negotiations, stressing safety protocols and strategic maritime routes.
While talks between the US and Iran continue, the US Maritime Administration has issued a call to American-flagged vessels, urging them to 'stay as far away as possible' from Iranian territorial waters.
The US Maritime Administration released new security protocols for US-flagged vessels in the region following the first round of indirect talks that took place in Oman between Washington and Tehran. The US administration called on American vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to 'stay as far away as possible' from Iranian territorial waters.
In the published warning, it was advised that ship captains should not allow Iranian forces to board their vessels, but they should avoid resisting with force in the event of a possible intervention. The statement included, 'In the event that Iranian forces board a US-flagged commercial vessel, the crew should not resist with force. Avoiding resistance does not imply consent to the intervention.'
Additionally, it was suggested that vessels heading east should prefer routes close to Omani territorial waters.
Warnings in the shadow of negotiations
The security warning came after the meetings held by US and Iranian delegations in Oman. The two countries' delegations are set to meet again in Oman this week. The US government describes the Strait of Hormuz as 'the world's most important oil chokepoint' due to its strategic location. As part of military activity in the region, the US military had announced that it shot down an Iranian drone approaching an aircraft carrier at the end of January. There are differences of opinion between the parties regarding the agenda of the talks in Oman.
While Iranian officials demand that the negotiations be limited to 'nuclear' issues only, the Trump administration wants Iran's missile program and its support for regional proxy forces to be on the table as well. US Vice President JD Vance made statements regarding Iran during his visit to Armenia.
Vance stated that President Trump is insistent on the demand for 'zero enrichment' in uranium enrichment and that the final decision in the negotiations rests with him. The Tehran administration argues that uranium enrichment is a sovereign right.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
