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Following the recent military escalation between the US and Iran in West Asia, which has jeopardised the transition through the Strait of Hormuz, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Friday maintained the maritime security threat level for the strategic waterway at "severe", urging ship owners, operators and mariners to remain vigilant.
In an advisory, the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) said the security threat in the Strait of Hormuz remains severe and reiterated guidance for vessels navigating the strategic waterway. "The maritime security threat level in the SoH remains SEVERE. Notwithstanding recent unprovoked attacks on merchant vessels, mariners are reminded that the southern route of the SoH has been expanded and remains available for all traffic," the advisory stated. The advisory strongly encouraged vessels to maintain engagement with the Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) and use established reporting and coordination procedures. However, it clarified that coordination with NCAGS is not mandatory and that ships may transit the southern route without prior coordination. It also noted that additional transit routes remain available but are not protected. "There is no controlling authority regulating passage or fee required for any route," the advisory added. The JMIC encouraged vessels to communicate with the US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) NCAGS for information on safe transit routes. Separately, the US Naval Forces Central Command (USNAVCENT) reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement, USNAVCENT said, "No nation has the authority to close or control the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. forces are fully prepared to deter threats, defend freedom of navigation, and respond decisively to any attempt to disrupt lawful transit through the Strait." This comes following days of military escalation between Iran and Washington, which has disrupted the transit of ships through the strategic waterway. The US has alleged that Iran has been involved in attacks on commercial vessels transiting the strait, following which Washington has conducted several strikes on Tehran in retaliation. The Islamic Republic further retaliated with strikes on US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan, further exacerbating the military confrontation between the two sides. Meanwhile, mediators are attempting to bring Washington and Tehran back to the negotiating table, CNN reported, citing a US official. (ANI)
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