The Trump administration warned American vessels to stay clear of the waters near Iran as tensions between Iran and the U.S. persist.
The Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration said in an advisory that vessels should avoid the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman lest they be at risk “of being hailed, queried, boarded, detained, or seized by Iranian forces.”
“Iranian forces have historically utilized small boats and helicopters during boarding operations and have attempted to force commercial vessels into Iranian territorial waters, including as recently as February 3, 2026,” the advisory statement read. Should vessels be hailed by Iranian forces, the U.S. vessel should “provide vessel name and flag state and affirm that they are proceeding in accordance with international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention.”
“If Iranian forces seek to board a U.S.-flagged commercial vessel navigating these waters, the vessel’s Master should, if the safety of the ship and crew would not be compromised, decline permission to board, noting that the vessel is proceeding in accordance with international law, as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention,” the statement continued.
The advisory doubled down on urging U.S. commercial vessels to refrain from the Iranian seas. “When transiting eastbound in the Strait of Hormuz, it is recommended that vessels transit close to Oman’s territorial sea,” it read.
Last week, President Trump signed an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on items from countries purchasing goods from Iran. According to the order, the “actions and policies of the Government of Iran continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat, which has its source in whole or substantial part outside the United States, to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.”
