The U.S. Calls for 'Increased Caution' for Ships Passing Through the Persian Gulf

The U.S. Maritime Administration has issued a warning calling for 'increased caution' for ships passing through the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Sea of Oman until May 9. The warning references the seizure of a Marshall Islands-flagged ship on May 7 in the Sea of Oman and a Panama-flagged ship on May 13 in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Maritime Administration also urged American vessels intending to transit these waters to consult a maritime guide to enhance information and communication access. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced early Wednesday that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps had seized a Panama-flagged oil tanker in the Persian Gulf. CENTCOM stated that IRGC fast boats forced the tanker to change course towards Iranian coastal waters near Bandar Abbas. A spokesperson for the National Security Council at the White House responded to this action by stating that Washington demands the immediate release of the seized ship and its crew. Previously, the Iranian Navy had seized a Marshall Islands-flagged ship last Thursday around 1:15 PM local time. The U.S. Fifth Fleet described this action as contrary to international law and destabilizing to regional security, noting that Iran has seized at least five commercial vessels in the Middle East over the past two years. Maritime tensions between Iran and the U.S. have escalated in recent weeks. The U.S. Fifth Fleet denied Iranian claims that they forced an American submarine to surface while passing through the Strait of Hormuz two weeks ago. The following day, the U.S. destroyer USS Paul Hamilton intercepted a fishing boat carrying 802 kilograms of methamphetamine and 1,000 kilograms of hashish, whose crew were Iranian. The U.S. has sent a submarine capable of carrying 154 missiles to the Middle East and formed a new task force to counter 'Iranian threats.' The first unmanned naval vessel from the U.S. Navy has passed through the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM is also looking to utilize artificial intelligence in tracking Iranian drones. The New York Times reported that Iran is seeking to attack Israeli ships, while the Alliance Against a Nuclear Iran stated that a Belgian tanker violated U.S. sanctions against the Islamic Republic.