US issued new recommendations for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz

The United States has issued new guidelines for commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane for oil from the Middle East, as tensions between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program remain high.

Iran has previously threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, part of which passes through its territorial waters, and has occasionally seized commercial vessels and oil tankers traveling through the area, accusing them of smuggling.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration has advised U.S.-flagged commercial vessels to stay as far away from Iranian territorial waters as possible and to verbally refuse boarding if requested by Iranian forces, the guidelines say.

“It is recommended that U.S.-flagged commercial vessels transiting these waters stay as far away from Iranian territorial waters as possible without jeopardizing the safety of navigation,” the guidelines say.

At the same time, the document emphasizes that the crews should not offer forceful resistance if Iranian forces nevertheless board the vessel.

“In the event that Iranian forces board a U.S.-flagged commercial vessel, the crew should not offer forceful resistance to the boarding party,” it states.

On Friday, Iran’s top diplomat said that nuclear talks with the United States, brokered by Oman, had started positively and should continue.

While both sides have said they are ready to resume diplomatic efforts over Iran’s long-standing nuclear dispute with the West, Washington has said it also wants to include Iran’s ballistic missiles, support for armed groups in the region and respect for human rights in the talks.

US President Donald Trump on Friday increased pressure on Iran by signing an executive order imposing a 25 percent tariff on imports from any country that “directly or indirectly” buys goods from Iran, making good on a threat he made last month.

Tags: Iran, USA, restrictions