The Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a British maritime security agency, has taken measures following Donald Trump’s move to issue evacuation orders for non-essential personnel
The UK has issued an “unusual warning” to its commercial ships in the Middle East amid “rising tensions”.
The Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) fears “an escalation of military activity” is on the cards across the region, and believs security may be at risk. It says vessels must use the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Straits of Hormuz, all of which pass Iran, with caution for the forseeable future.
Iran publicly threatened to attack US military bases in the Middle East if they were attacked first. Donald Trump added fuel to the fire yesterday, crassly stating the country will never have a nuclear weapon whether a deal is reached or not.
“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. Vessels are advised to transit the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Straits of Hormuz with caution,” the UKMTO said today.
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The Trump administration has issued evacuation orders for non-essential personnel at the US Embassy in Iraq, and its diplomatic facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also told FOX News there would be voluntary departure for dependents of military personnel serving in the Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations across the Middle East.
This discourse led to the UKMTO advisory today as regional tensions surged. Iranian officials appeared to be responding to calls from hawks in the US to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program by force if necessary.
But Mr Trump was pessimistic when interviewed earlier this week. The US President said: “I don’t know. I’m less confident now than I would have been a couple of months ago. Something happened to them, but I am much less confident of a deal being made.” He spoke on the podcast Pod Force One on Monday, which explored in depth the tense situation across the Middle East.
Meanwhile, suspected US airstrikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen killed at least three people recently. Yemeni rebels said they shot down a £25m Reaper attack drone during April’s onslaught, which indicated a possible US attack on Iran. It happened after the US moved six of its prized B-2 Strategic Stealth bombers to the secretive Indo-Pacific island base of Diego Garcia.
Hours after the surprise announcement of the Washington-Tehran talks, Iran’s foreign minister said the conversation in Oman would be “indirect” but could be “as much an opportunity as… a test.” Mr Trump – who pulled the US out a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers during his first term – said discussions would be at “very high level,” as he delivered his warning to Tehran.