Members will be aware of the ongoing military operations between Israel and the United States, and Iran in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz (SoH), which has resulted in military and paramilitary attacks against merchant shipping. Consequently, the risk to ships in the SoH and Persian Gulf is assessed to be critical.

The ICS has advised that while the SoH is not officially closed, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has announced its intention to strike ships that transit the strait. Such action has included, but is not limited to, missile strikes, unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned surface vessels, and fast inshore attack craft. Ships in the area are recommended to conduct thorough threat and risk assessments in accordance with Best Management Practices – Maritime Security, and in particular to consult the advice in Annex A from OCIMF on loitering munitions for best practice. Guidance on the security risks can be found at www.maritimeglobalsecurity.org.

Additionally, members’ member companies should register with UK Maritime Trade Operations (www.ukmto.org) for regular threat and incident advice, and also regularly consult the Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC) advisory notes circulated by UKMTO (www.ukmto.org/partner-products/jmic-products) which provide up to date threat assessments to merchant shipping, confirmed vessel incidents, and SoH transits.

Although a post on Truth Social by the United States President on 3 March 2026 indicated that the option of escorts for merchant ships could be provided, there is, as yet, no timeline for the assumption of such security support to ships in the region, and it is unlikely that support will be provided while the threat to shipping remains critical.

Recognising the severity of the threat to seafarers and ships as well as the probable ongoing impact of the crisis, the ICS secretariat will continue to monitor the situation will advise members of developments as appropriate.