The Strait of Hormuz remains open and commercial vessel traffic continues to flow despite reports of electronic interference in the region.
Israel struck Iran’s nuclear facilities early Friday, threatening to tip the Middle East into a broader regional conflict. In a major escalation, Iran has launched a wave of retaliatory strikes in response to Israel’s attacks on its nuclear and military facilities. The rising Middle East tensions and fears of trade disruption through the Strait of Hormuz fuelled concerns in the shipping market.
However, the Strait of Hormuz remains open and commercial traffic continues to flow, according to an advisory notice yesterday from the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC). It advised companies to “closely monitor all electronic aids and communication networks for electronic interference. Be ready with alternative options should navigation aids fail.”
The Strait of Hormuz is vital for global energy supply and any threat to this passage could send oil prices soaring. Any disruption or closure of the Strait of Hormuz can impact oil prices and shipping costs with consequences for the crude tanker market and the global container lines which would avoid the region.
The Israeli defense forces launched an attack on Iran on Friday, in a dramatic escalation of their long-running conflict that drew early retaliation from Tehran and raised the specter of another war in the Middle East.
There is no impact to shipping at the time of writing this report. Israel did not target maritime infrastructure and there are a very low number of Israel-affiliated vessels in the wider region.
“In the event of escalation, merchant vessels are advised to reconsider transiting through the Strait of Hormuz and close to Iranian waters, as well as to seek drifting locations close to friendly and protected territorial waters,” security services specialist in maritime Ambrey highlights in its latest threat circular.
An enrichment site in Iran and surface-to-air missile systems − these were among the targets Israel struck June 13 as part of a wave of attacks on Iran.
The Natanz enrichment site was confirmed hit, and investigations are underway on the extent of the damage.
There have been no reports on Friday of casualties from the latest attack on the country’s enrichment site, said the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI).
In the investigations it was found that there are no elevated radiation levels.
“Iranian authorities have confirmed that the Natanz enrichment site has been impacted and that there are no elevated radiation levels. They have also reported that at present the Esfahan and Fordow sites have not been impacted,” the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) commented on Friday, adding that the level of radioactivity outside the Natanz site has remained unchanged and at normal levels indicating no external radiological impact to the population or the environment from this event.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has acknowledged the strikes. “Dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.”
US officials have emphasised that the US did not participate in the attacks against Iran.
“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on June 12.
The latest report by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) details escalating tensions in the Middle East with direct impact on mariners.
The UKMTO advised that the cumulative impact of these events threatens to an escalation of military activity.
“UKMTO has been made aware of increased tensions within the region which could lead to an escalation of military activity having a direct impact on mariners,” UKMTO said in an advisory note on Wednesday.
UKMTO advised vessels to transit the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Straits of Hormuz with caution and to report incidents or suspicious activity to UKMTO.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran reaffirmed on Friday “Tehran’s legitimate and legal right to respond to the Israeli regime’s acts of aggression.”
While the U.S. did not participate in Israel’s strikes, Iran said the attacks could not have been carried out without the coordination and approval of the United States.
US President Donald Trump has warned Iran to agree to a nuclear deal “before there is nothing left.”
In a post on Truth Social early on Friday morning, Trump wrote: “Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire.”
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was informed on Friday morning of the military operation launched by Israel which includes attacks on nuclear facilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
“This development is deeply concerning. I have repeatedly stated that nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances, as it could harm both people and the environment. Such attacks have serious implications for nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as regional and international peace and security,” the Director General of IAEA Rafael Mariano Grossi highlighted.
The attacks surpass a series of historical flashpoints, and signal a new phase in a conflict between Israel and Iran that for decades was waged in the shadows, before exploding into real-world confrontation in the last years.
Top EU officials warned on Friday against further escalation in the Middle East, following the Israeli attack on Iran.
“The reports emerging from the Middle East are deeply alarming. Europe urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate immediately and refrain from retaliation,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X. “A diplomatic resolution is now more urgent than ever, for the sake of the region’s stability and global security.”
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Source: Shipping Telegraph
