The United States is preparing for potential new strikes in Iran, with the U.S. Military urging civilians in the country to avoid all port facilities along the Strait of Hormuz. The move comes amid escalating tensions in the region and follows a series of confrontations in the vital waterway.
“Iranian port workers, administrative personnel, and commercial vessel crews should avoid proximity to Iranian naval vessels and military equipment,” United States Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, according to Al Jazeera.
The Strait of Hormuz is currently closed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) following the ongoing conflict with the U.S. And Israel. Iranian naval forces are reportedly on alert in the area to prevent ships from passing through.
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Most recently, the IRGC targeted two ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. One of the vessels attacked was a bulk cargo carrier from Thailand.
“The Israeli-owned ship Express Rome, flying the Liberian flag, and the container ship Mayuree Naree, were hit by Iranian projectiles and stopped after ignoring warnings from IRGC naval forces,” the IRGC said in a statement carried by Iran’s ISNA news agency, as reported by AFP.
Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the IRGC Navy, stated in a post on X that “any ship intending to pass must obtain permission from Iran.”
Authorities in Thailand have responded after a vessel from their country was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. The Thai Ministry of Transport said 20 crew members were rescued, but three remain missing, according to Reuters.
The ministry reported that the crew had abandoned ship in lifeboats and were rescued by the Omani Navy. The attack by the IRGC caused an explosion in the stern of the ship and a fire in the engine compartment, where the three missing crew members were working.
(ygs/idn)
The situation in the Strait of Hormuz represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, threatening a crucial global shipping lane. The IRGC’s actions and demands for prior permission to transit the waterway are likely to further disrupt maritime traffic and raise concerns about regional stability.
