NAVCENT / JMIC have issued a warning to all shipping within the Strait of Hormuz, that could be impossible to comply with if a ship is at or near the narrowest point of the Strait.
Commercial vessels operating in and around the Strait of Hormuz face the risk of being treated as hostile targets if they fail to comply with U.S. military instructions, according to a pair of new maritime security advisories issued Thursday by the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC).
The warnings come as the U.S. Navy expands military operations near the Strait of Hormuz and continues enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.
In one of the strongest warnings issued to commercial shipping since the crisis began, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) said vessels that do not comply with directions from U.S. forces “may be determined to be an imminent threat and subject to proportionate measure of self-defense in accordance with international law.”
The advisory also states that any vessel observed engaging in or supporting mine-laying activities “will be targeted by U.S. forces in self defense.”
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According to the notice, all traffic inbound to or outbound from Iranian ports remains subject to blockade enforcement. The advisory further states that vessels participating in ship-to-ship transfers intended to circumvent the blockade may also be considered in violation.
The blockade notice warns that enforcement actions may include “disabling and destructive fires” against vessels that fail to demonstrate immediate compliance with blockading forces.
While the U.S. Navy said neutral merchant shipping remains free to navigate international waters, it cautioned that it cannot guarantee the safety of vessels operating near ongoing military operations. Ships transiting the region were advised to clearly communicate their intentions, respond promptly to military hails, and maintain a standoff distance of at least 30 nautical miles from U.S. naval units to reduce the risk of misidentification.
More on this :
U.S. Warns Ships Ignoring Orders in Hormuz May Be Treated as Threats (gCaptain - May 29, 2026)
The two advisories :
https://www.ukmto.org/-/media/ukmto/...72212bbe14e428
https://www.ukmto.org/-/media/ukmto/...22f459d7dcc57e
The "30 nautical miles" distance to be kept from USN assets could be difficult if the USN asset is anywhere near the narrowest section of the Strait of Hormuz which is 21 nautical miles wide.
Again, despite social media postings by president Trump stating the blockade will likely be lifted...the exact opposite seems to be happening.