US urges American ships to stay ‘as far as possible’ from Iranian waters
Al Jazeera
New US Maritime Administration advisory comes after first round of indirect talks between Washington and Tehran.
The United States has issued new guidelines to US-flagged ships travelling through the Strait of Hormuz, calling on them to stay away from Iran’s territorial waters amid tensions between Washington and Tehran.
The advisory, released by the US Maritime Administration on Monday, also urged the captains of American ships against granting Iranian forces permission to board US vessels.
“If Iranian forces board a US-flagged commercial vessel, the crew should not forcibly resist the boarding party. Refraining from forcible resistance does not imply consent or agreement to that boarding,” the guidelines read.
“It is recommended that US-flagged commercial vessels transiting these waters remain as far as possible from Iran’s territorial sea without compromising navigational safety. When transiting eastbound in the Strait of Hormuz, it is recommended that vessels transit close to Oman’s territorial sea.”
The recommendations come after the US and Iran held a round of indirect talks in Oman on Friday, following weeks of escalating rhetoric and threats that brought the two countries to the verge of war.
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