Security in Middle East - updated 23 June 2025

17 June 2025

This update is provided following the US airstrikes on targets in Iran on 22 June.

At the time of writing, there have been no physical attacks or direct threats against any ship in the region. Traffic continues to flow freely through the Strait of Hormuz and in analysing the traffic flows in the hours since the US attacks, slightly more ships have left the Persian Gulf than entered.

The Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC) released a circular number 011-25 on 22 June, following the US attacks on Iran and this can be found here.

As of this report dated 22 June 2025 at 13:00 UTC. The maritime threat level remains ELEVATED due to US strikes and rhetoric from both State and non-State Iranian media, which is focussing on US-affiliated shipping.

However, it goes on to state:

Despite these developments, currently, there are no indications of threats to commercial shipping. US-associated vessels have successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz without interruption, which is a positive sign for the immediate future.

The JMIC has released a further notice on 23 June, circular number 012-25 and provides the latest information, which can be seen here. They provide information on the Iranian Parliament’s threat to close the Strait of Hormuz with the final authority resting with the supreme national security council of Iran. They further state that:

JMIC has no indication that commercial maritime activity will be targeted.

And they go on to recommend that:

JMIC recommends the shipping industry remains vigilant to the changing security environment and have threat and risk mitigation plans at the ready.

Attacks on ships in the future cannot be ruled out as Iran has previously seized ships and were suspected of attaching limpet mines to others in 2019. That said, the assessment from multiple agencies is that there is no perceived threat to shipping, which is based around the concept that all parties in the area are reliant upon the free flow of trade through the Strait of Hormuz.

Reports point toward intensified jamming and spoofing of satellite navigation systems (GNSS) in the Persian Gulf and approaches to the Strait of Hormuz. Navigators should be prepared to not rely on GNSS satellite position signal in the area and be ready to conduct navigation through terrestrial and dead-reckoning means, as this may be necessary for a prolonged time while the signal is restored.

Fake AIS echoes were reported in the region which, when placed in the vicinity of the actual vessel course line, may induce navigators into actions desirable to attackers. Collision-avoiding action should never be based on AIS data, instead only verified radar and visual observations should be relied upon.

INTERTANKO’s advice of the 20 June remains valid and so in the absence of any specific threat against shipping, INTERTANKO would advise the following:

• Continue to apply the Best Management Practices for Maritime Security (note, use the updated version as BMP5 has been withdrawn). The BMP MS can be downloaded from here: https://www.maritimeglobalsecurity.org/geography/global/
• For the region (Gulf of Oman, Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Aden, Bab el-Mandeb, and Southern Red Sea), all vessels are recommended to:
• Ensure reporting procedures are being complied with as per the ship security plans;
• Ensure that the crew understand and practise the procedures to be applied in the event of a security incident (drone attack, helicopter boarding etc);
• Ensure the JMIC bridge procedure cards are available on the bridge and crew are familiar with them;
• Navigate as far from Iran and Yemen as possible, whilst in compliance with the collision regulations; The MSTC-ME may be considered but navigation and collision avoidance care is necessary in congested waters especially south of Abu Musa Island.
• Treat GNSS data as potentially impacted and unreliable; and
• Report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.

We will update Members and forward advice as and when more information becomes available on any specific threats.

Contact: Phil Belcher

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