U.S. issues shipping alert: Fleets should avoid Iranian territorial waters risk zone

U.S. authorities recently issued an important maritime notice requiring vessels flying the American flag to exercise heightened caution when passing through the Strait of Hormuz in Iranian territorial waters. The notice was issued in response to multiple incidents earlier this month involving fleets being interfered with by Iranian forces. The escalating security threats prompted U.S. authorities to take proactive warning measures.

Tensions Continue in the Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes, with hundreds of commercial ships passing through daily. Recently, Iranian forces have frequently conducted targeted activities in the area, including deploying small fleets and helicopter units. According to information released by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Iran has attempted multiple times to force ships flying the U.S. flag into Iranian waters, with the most recent incident recorded on February 3, 2026. Such events not only threaten vessel safety but also challenge global shipping order.

U.S. Proposes Specific Avoidance Strategies for Iranian Waters

In response to this situation, the U.S. Maritime Administration has explicitly issued navigation recommendations in an official notice. The notice states that ships should prioritize routes closer to the eastern side of the Strait, near Omani waters, when passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The core purpose of this advice is to enable commercial vessels to avoid Iranian waters as much as possible while ensuring safe navigation. U.S. authorities emphasize that fleets should increase their distance from Iranian territorial waters without compromising basic navigation operations.

Real Challenges Facing Commercial Shipping

The issuance of this notice reflects the seriousness of current maritime security conditions. For ships flying flags of countries with tense relations with Iran, whether they can safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz has become a major concern. The U.S. official move is both a responsibility for fleet safety and a necessary measure to maintain international shipping order. Moving forward, similar navigation recommendations may continue to be updated depending on developments in the vicinity of Iranian waters.