UK Issues Warning to Ships Over Iranian Naval Manoeuvres in Persian Gulf

Notices highlight incidents involving Iranian military exercises and rising tensions in the region

The United Kingdom has issued a warning to sailors navigating the Persian Gulf regarding attempts by Iran’s military forces to direct vessels into Iranian territorial waters.

According to a notice published by the UK Maritime Trade Operations centre (UKMTO) on Friday, there have been multiple incidents where ships received VHF radio challenges to modify their courses.

The UKMTO attributes these challenges to a comprehensive military exercise conducted by the Islamic Republican Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran, known as Great Prophet XVIII.

This large-scale exercise spans two months and coincides with persistent tensions between Iran and Israel, which have escalated to exchanges of fire over the past year.

In its communication, the UKMTO advised mariners that ships either within or in proximity to Iranian territorial waters might encounter radio hailing due to these ongoing military drills.

On the same Friday, the UKMTO documented a “suspicious approach” by a military vessel towards a ship operating in the Persian Gulf.

This incident involved the military vessel using a green laser light directed at the ship's bridge and issuing commands to steer towards Iranian waters.

Such activities underscore the complex and tense maritime environment in the region, amid regional geopolitical strains.