The special representative for Iran, Brian Hook, delivered remarks focusing on the maritime components of U.S. sanctions "to alert nations of the risks of doing business with Iran's shipping sector". Describing Iranian tankers as "a floating liability", Hook advised that "countries, ports, and canal operators and private firms should know that they will be likely responsibly for the costs of an accident involving a self-insured Iranian tanker", and warned that "accidents are a very real possibility given Iran's record". "We should not be surprised", he added, "that an outlaw regime also violates basic maritime law" by switching off maritime transponders.