The US military has advised commercial vessels with no need to operate in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz to stay away from the area as regional tensions rise.
US Naval Forces Central Command issued the warning on Wednesday through the Joint Maritime Information Center. 'Due to the current geopolitical situation, vessels which do not need to transit the area are advised to remain well clear to avoid unnecessary delays to their voyage,' the command said.
Ships that do enter the area should plan additional transit time because of increased traffic density and military blockade enforcement operations.
The advisory follows a similar notice issued in mid-July, when the United States began its blockade of Iranian shipping. At that time, the military said neutral passage would not be impeded, although vessels should expect to be questioned on their intentions.
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has recovered in recent months. Shuttle tankers account for a large share of the crude oil moving through the chokepoint, making repeated runs between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Dozens of crude tankers willing to accept the risk have helped lift oil flows from the Persian Gulf to near prewar levels. The US blockade has pushed Iranian crude exports close to zero. Iran has increased attacks on merchant ships to a wartime high of almost 30 in October.
The latest notice said neutral vessels carrying neutral cargo, or sailing in ballast between neutral ports, may be subject to questioning, visit and search to confirm their intentions regarding the blockade.
US Central Command and US Naval Forces Central Command did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
For shipowners, charterers and brokers, the warning means longer transit planning and the possibility of delays or boarding even for neutral vessels. Transit warnings in chokepoints typically prompt operators to build extra time into voyage plans and underwriters to review war-risk cover.
Cover image: Clusteringcoefficient, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
As Editor in Chief of The Maritime, I lead content development, interviews, and digital storytelling across our multimedia maritime platform. With over 10 years of experience in the maritime industry, I create and publish in-depth stories and video features that highlight key players, emerging trends, and operational realities across global shipping. Before launching The Maritime, I worked as a Vessel Operator at Imza Marine A.S., gaining hands-on commercial shipping and voyage operations experience. I also served as Marketing Communications Specialist at Gimas Ship Supply & Services, where I managed corporate communication, digital strategy, and industry outreach for shipowners and maritime clients. I hold a Master’s degree in Maritime Transportation Management from Istanbul Technical University and a Master’s degree in Publishing from Marmara University. My work is driven by the belief that the maritime world deserves strong, informed, and accessible media representation. I am committed to sharing the stories of maritime professionals and contributing to the sector’s visibility, knowledge exchange, and future development.
