The IRGC Navy’s commander warned that “we would hold any oil company that sought to unload our crude from the vessel [that the U.S. seized in April] responsible and we also hold America responsible… The era of hit and run is over, and if they hit, they should expect to be struck back”.

The Pentagon announced that “in response to recent attempts by Iran to threaten the free flow of commerce in the Strait of Hormuz and its surrounding waters, the Secretary of Defense has ordered the deployment of a portion of the BATAAN Amphibious Readiness Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit (ARG/MEU) comprised of the USS Bataan, USS Carter Hall and its associated personnel and equipment into the U.S. CENTCOM area of responsibility”. “Through these actions”, the statement added, “the U.S. is demonstrating commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation and deterring Iranian destabilisation activities in the region. We will continue to work with like-minded allies and partners who are committed to the free flow of commerce to take appropriate, coordinated actions against threats to this fundamental principle of the rules-based international order”.

The U.S. and the Arab League concluded a strategic dialogue with a joint statement in which they denounced “any threats, armed seizures and attacks against commercial ships that interfere with navigational rights and freedoms in the strategic waterways of the region”, adding: “We resolve to increase our commitment to pursue collective efforts to address threats to the security of vessels traveling through the region’s waterways that are critical to international trade and the global economy”.

A Pentagon spokesperson announced that “in response to a number of recent alarming events in the Strait of Hormuz, the Secretary of Defense has ordered the deployment of the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, F-35 fighters and F-16 fighters to the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility to defend U.S. interests and safeguard freedom of navigation in the region”. Referring to Iran’s attempts to seize two merchant vessels early July, she noted: “In light of this continued threat and in coordination with our partners and allies, the department is increasing our presence and ability to monitor the strait and surrounding waters. We call upon Iran to immediately cease these destabilising actions that threaten the free flow of commerce through this strategic waterway of which the world depends on for more than one fifth of the world’s oil supply”.

A U.S. navy spokesperson reported that Iran’s IRGC had detained a merchant vessel, potentially involved in smuggling activity, in international waters. “U.S. naval forces deployed maritime assets to closely monitor the situation. Ultimately, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command assessed the circumstances of this event did not warrant further response”, he added. The following day, Iranian media reported that the IRGC Navy had seized what was described as a vessel carrying smuggled fuel, and detained the twelve crew members.

The U.S. military reported that its “forces prevented two attempted commercial tanker seizures by the Iranian Navy after the Iranians have opened fire in one of the incidents near the coast of Oman”. According to a statement from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, “one Iranian naval vessel approached the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker TRF Moss in international waters in the Gulf of Oman. The Iranian vessel departed the scene when U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74) arrived on station”. Subsequently, “the U.S. Navy received a distress call from Bahamian-flagged oil tanker Richmond Voyager… Another Iranian naval vessel had closed within one mile of Richmond Voyager while hailing the commercial tanker to stop… Prior to McFaul’s arrival on scene, Iranian personnel fired multiple, long bursts from both small arms and crew-served weapons. Richmond Voyager sustained no casualties or significant damage. However, several rounds hit the ship’s hull near crew living spaces. The Iranian navy vessel departed when McFaul arrived”. The following day, Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organisation claimed that Richmond Voyager had “ignored basic international maritime laws by escaping the scene of a collision with an Iranian vessel”, in which it said five crew members had been injured. It further noted: “Iran has informed Omani authorities of the case and will continue efforts to confiscate the ship”. Chevron, which managed the Richmond Voyager, denied Iran’s claims.

After an Iranian oil ministry official announced Iran’s readiness to start drilling in the Arash/Al-Durra gas field, a Saudi official asserted that “the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Kuwait alone have full sovereign rights to exploit the wealth in that region”, while calling on Iran to negotiate over disputed areas.

Representatives from the U.S., the GCC and GCC member states participated in a “high-level, multilateral meeting in Bahrain… to discuss current maritime security and ways to further enhance maritime security in the region”. The participants issued a joint statement, expressing their “commitment to uphold navigational rights and operate consistent with international law, as well as pursue collective efforts to prevent threats to vessels traveling through regional waterways that are critical to international trade and the global economy”.

Media reports citing an unnamed U.S. official indicated that Iran had “tested a suicide drone against a practice vessel in the Gulf and fired one other missile or drone without warning ships in the area”. The official asserted that it was: “Essentially practicing hitting merchant vessels. That’s the only reason why you would do that in the Gulf of Oman… The closest merchant vessel was about 30 miles out away from the barge, but it was still dangerous”.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Riyadh for meetings with senior Saudi officials and GCC counterparts. A joint U.S-GCC ministerial statement reaffirmed “their commitment to freedom of navigation and maritime security in the region and their determination to counter aggressive and illegal actions at sea or elsewhere that might threaten the shipping lanes, international trade and oil installations in the GCC states”. The ministers also urged “Iran to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency”, while hailing “the decision by Saudi Arabia and Iran to resume diplomatic relations”. During his visit, Blinken commented on Iran-Saudi normalisation mediated by China, maintaining: “If countries, whoever they are, can play a positive role in helping to advance peace, de-escalate tensions… we think that’s a good thing.  And of course, the Saudis and Iranians have been talking together for at least a couple of years to get to this place. We’ll see what happens now. But again, if it reduces tensions, if it at least takes one problem off of the board, that’s very positive”.

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command reported that U.S. and UK vessels, supported by a patrol aircraft, had “responded to a distress call from a merchant vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz, June 4, as Iranian [IRGC Navy] fast-attack boats harassed the commercial ship”. “The situation deescalated approximately an hour later when the merchant vessel confirmed the fast-attack craft departed the scene”, the statement added, further highlighting: “U.S. 5th Fleet remains vigilant and is bolstering defence around the key strait with partners to enhance regional maritime security and stability”. The IRGC Navy denied the report, claiming that after receiving a distress call from a Marshall Islands-flagged merchant vessel, “the command and control center of Iran at the Hormuz Strait… resolved the ship’s concerns about the presence of [three] non-military light boats near it”.

The Emirati foreign ministry confirmed that “as a result of our ongoing evaluation of effective security cooperation with all partners, two months ago, the UAE withdrew its participation in the [U.S-led] Combined Maritime Forces”. A U.S. navy spokesperson indicated that the UAE had withdrawn “their participation for the moment in the task forces but not their overall membership”.

Israel’s defence minister estimated that “since I took office, the number of Israeli strikes against the Iranian in Syria have doubled... We are working methodically to strike the Iranian intelligence capabilities in Syria. These strikes inflict significant damage to the attempts by the Revolutionary guard to establish a foothold a few kilometres from the Israeli border”. He further asserted that “Iran aims to expand its reach to the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea and even the shores of the Mediterranean... This is a structure plan designed to threaten trade and flight route - both military and civilian - and to create a permanent threat in the maritime arena”.

U.S. Naval Central Command announced that “U.S. 5th Fleet is working with regional allies and partners to increase the rotation of ships and aircraft patrolling in and around the Strait of Hormuz following Iran’s recent unlawful merchant vessel seizures”, in addition to “bolstering international maritime security collaboration among the International Maritime Security Construct and European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson on 17 May insisted that “the new accusations against Iran… are aimed at justifying the continuation or intensification of interventionist presence in the region”. He went on to assert that “the presence and destabilising actions of American forces double Iran’s responsibility in ensuring the security of the region and the Strait of Hormuz and in dealing with lawbreakers”, adding: “Iran considers the continued presence of foreign military forces in the waters of the Persian Gulf as a threat to the security of navigation in this strategic waterway”.

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command reported that the “Panama-flagged oil tanker Niovi was seized by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) while transiting the Strait of Hormuz”, further asserting: “Iran’s continued harassment of vessels and interference with navigational rights in regional waters are unwarranted, irresponsible and a present threat to maritime security and the global economy”. Iranian state media indicated that the seizure was based on a judicial order following a “private complaint”.

The IRGC Navy’s commander argued that “the illegitimate presence of the aggressive U.S. and the child-killing Israeli regime in this region has endangered the stability and security of the Persian Gulf”, warning that “in the event any accidents involving these [foreign] vessels, which are primarily nuclear-fueled, the Persian Gulf’s ecosystem could be impacted for decades”.

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command reported that the Advantage Sweet, “a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker… was seized by the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy while transiting international waters in the Gulf of Oman”. It called on Iran to “immediately release the oil tanker”, and noted: “Iran’s continued harassment of vessels and interference with navigational rights in regional waters are a threat to maritime security and the global economy”. Iran’s Navy stated that the tanker was detained because it had “collided with an Iranian boat in the Gulf of Oman and tried to flee… two members of boat’s crew are missing and several were injured”. However, the company managing the vessel, which was travelling from Kuwait to the U.S., reportedly “had no knowledge of a collision”. The following day, media reports indicated that the U.S. had seized a China-bound shipment of Iranian crude prior to the Advantage Sweet incident, with an unnamed U.S. official quoted as saying that the latter “appears to be in retaliation”.

Iran’s navy commander claimed that an Iranian submarine had “detected an American nuclear-powered submarine that was cruising under escort in the Strait of Hormuz stealthily and forced it to surface and change its track” after approaching Iran’s territorial waters. The U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet rejected the claim as “absolutely false”, saying: “A U.S. submarine has not transited the Strait of Hormuz recently. The claim represents more Iranian disinformation that destabilises the region”.

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command announced that “an unmanned surface vessel from U.S. 5th Fleet transited the Strait of Hormuz  with two U.S. Coast Guard cutters… demonstrating the continued operational integration of unmanned and artificial intelligence systems by U.S. maritime forces in the Middle East”. The vessels, per the Navy statement, were “operating in support of the International Maritime Security Construct”.

The U.S. announced the deployment of a nuclear-powered guided-missile submarine to the Middle East “to help ensure regional maritime security and stability”, adding: “Recent events, including the strikes in Syria and public threats made by Iran against merchant vessels, prompted us to remind regional mariners to remain vigilant”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson reacted to the announcement by saying: “The U.S. regime has trodden a path against the will of regional nations by its frequent warmongering and spreading instability and division in the West Asia region. Washington would better be realistic and understand the realities and avoid attempting to interfere in West Asia region and the Persian Gulf, in the interest of the shaky Zionist regime [ie, Israel]”.

Iran’s Navy reported that it had “identified and warned off a U.S. spy aircraft after it entered the country’s borders near the Sea of Oman”.

A U.S. diplomat told the Security Council: “We hope that the recently announced agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran will contribute to efforts to secure a durable solution to the conflict in Yemen, address the continued flow of Iranian lethal aid to the Huthis and ensure Iranian support for a Yemeni political process”. Noting four interdictions of Iranian-origin, Yemen-bound arms shipments since January, the U.S. diplomat underscored that “member states involved in these illicit transfers… are in violation of this Council’s resolutions”.

China, Iran and Russia began a five-day military drill in the Gulf of Oman.

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command announced that on 23 February, “U.S. forces provided airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support for an interdiction in the Gulf of Oman conducted by the United Kingdom Royal Navy… confiscating anti-tank guided missiles and missile components from a small boat that originated from Iran. UK forces discovered packages that included Iranian versions of Russian 9M133 Kornet anti-tank guided missiles… and medium-range ballistic missile components”. “The interdiction occurred along a route historically used to traffic weapons unlawfully to Yemen”, the statement noted. A senior U.S. commander stated that “this is the seventh illegal weapon or drug interdiction in the last three months and yet another example of Iran’s increasing malign maritime activity across the region”.

A senior IDF official contended that “Iran is not just a threat to Israel; and I’m not only speaking about their nuclear threats, but also their deployment of UAVs and their threat over the international freedom of navigation… In the last month, Iran has unsuccessfully carried out several attempts to attack Israeli naval vessels in the Mediterranean Sea. We have also seen the use of armed drones in the Russian-Ukrainian War. Iran poses a threat to the security and stability of the Middle East”.

Media reports citing an unnamed U.S. official indicated that on 10 February the Campo Square, a Liberian-flagged commercial vessel linked to Israeli ownership, came under attack by a suspected Iranian drone in the Arabian Sea, resulting in “minor damage”. Two days later, Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed Iran was responsible for the attack, which led to Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson denying the accusation, while arguing: “A regime that endangers the security of others and does not adhere to the security of others exposes itself to mutual threats”.

CENTCOM Commander Erik Kurilla reiterated that “Iran’s continued shipment of illegal arms to the Huthis violated the UN Security Council Resolution governing the violence in Yemen and undermines peace efforts. Our partners are critical to the interdiction of this material and to countering Iran’s malign activity. Iran remains the most destabilising actor in the Middle East”.

Following U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Defence Working Group meetings in Riyadh, a senior U.S. defence official remarked that “there is a shared assessment between the U.S. and the GCC of the threats that face us… We spent extensive amounts of time today focused on the full set of threats from Iran, whether it’s Iranian proliferation of UAVs to non-state actors across the region… and, of course, the ongoing threat to U.S. forces who are in Iraq and Syria”. She further highlighted that “Iranian aggression at sea remains a serious concern… the work to bring partners together and the increased rate of maritime interdiction speaks both to the serious nature of the threats we face at sea, and to how we can effectively address those threats through increased cooperation”. “We also spent time focusing on increased Iranian-Russian military cooperation, the illicit transfer of Iranian weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine that are actively killing Ukrainian civilians and how that increased military cooperation has serious implications for the stability and security of the Middle East”, the U.S. official added, while emphasising: “When it comes to the specific working groups, integrated air and missile defense and maritime… there has been no other moment in time in which the prospect for meaningful integration is more real than today”.

At a U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council Working Group on Integrated Air and Missile Defense and Maritime Security in Riyadh, according to a U.S. readout, the participants “welcomed opportunities to continue their work together to advance integrated deterrence in the region”, noting: “Due to the clear threat to regional security and stability, preventing Iran from holding the region at risk through its proliferation and direct use of advanced ballistic missiles, maritime weapons and unmanned systems is of the utmost importance”. Participants further “agreed on the shared objectives of improving collective early warning, streamlining coordination against shared threats, and building towards regional integration”.

CENTCOM announced that on January 15 it had “supported a maritime interdiction… that resulted in the seizure by partner naval forces of weapons that originated in Iran and were bound for Yemen” in the Gulf of Oman, adding: “More than 3,000 assault rifles, 578,000 rounds of ammunition and 23 advanced anti-tank guided missiles were recovered”.

Marking the anniversary of an attack against civilian targets in the UAE by what CENTCOM described as “Iran-aligned forces”, ie, the Huthis, the White House affirmed that “the U.S. will continue to support the UAE as it defends itself against threats – whether from Yemen or anywhere else. We remain steadfast in our pursuit of diplomacy to bring a peaceful end to the war in Yemen, and the U.S. will continue to support the security of the UAE and our other partners in the Middle East, including providing needed military assistance”.

A U.S. representative told the UN Security Council that “despite the ongoing period of calm [in the Yemen war], Iran continues to send a steady flow of weapons to the Huthis. Just ten days ago, the U.S. intercepted a dhow carrying thousands of AK-47s from Iran to the Huthis – the third interdiction in recent months. Such lethal, external interference can only fuel war and suffering in Yemen at a time when Yemenis are calling for the Huthis to negotiate to end the war”.

CENTCOM announced that on 6 January it had interdicted “a stateless dhow in the Gulf of Oman smuggling more than 2,000 AK-47 assault rifles while transiting international waters from Iran to Yemen”. A senior commander contended that “this shipment is part of a continued pattern of destabilising activity from Iran… These threats have our attention. We remain vigilant in detecting any maritime activity that threatens freedom or compromises regional security”.

Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian affirmed that “the three islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb in the Persian Gulf are inseparable parts of Iranian soil and eternally belong to this motherland. We have no qualms about the necessity of other parties respecting Iran’s territorial integrity”. His remarks came in response to a joint GCC-China statement that had expressed “support for all peaceful efforts, including the initiative and endeavours of the United Arab Emirates to reach a peaceful solution to the [sovereignty] issue of the three islands”.

CENTCOM reported that on 5 December “an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy patrol boat interacted in an unsafe and unprofessional manner as U.S. Navy ships transited the Strait of Hormuz… the Iranian vessel attempted blind the bridge by shining a spotlight and crossed within 150 yards of the U.S. ships”. A spokesperson remarked that “this dangerous action in international waters is indicative of Iran’s destabilising activity across the Middle East”.

The U.S. Navy announced that on 1 December it had “intercepted a fishing trawler smuggling more than 50 tons of ammunition rounds, fuses and propellants for rockets in the Gulf of Oman along a maritime route from Iran to Yemen”. A senior commander contended that “this significant interdiction clearly shows that Iran’s unlawful transfer of lethal aid and destabilising behaviour continues… U.S. naval forces remain focused on deterring and disrupting dangerous and irresponsible maritime activity in the region”.

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz asserted that “in the last five years, Iran has conducted at least sixteen separate attacks on civilian international vessels in the Gulf and the Red Sea”. He also contended that “Iran continues to build, expand and fortify its capabilities. Today should Iran decide to do so, it may reach SQ1 at 90 per cent enriched Uranium in only two weeks. The international community must take action – strengthening alliances, increasing intelligence cooperation, projecting power and responding forcefully to Iranian attacks and aggression”.

Latvia signed on to the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC), joining ten other countries in the initiative.

Eastern Pacific Shipping Pte. Ltd. (EPS), affiliated with an Israeli businessman, reported that on 15 November its tanker Pacific Zircon “was hit by a projectile approximately 150 miles off the coast of Oman… there is some minor damage to the vessel’s hull”. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan denounced the attack “in the strongest possible terms”, while maintaining: “We are confident that Iran likely conducted this attack using a UAV, a lethal capability it is increasingly employing directly and via its proxies throughout the Middle East and proliferating to Russia for use in Ukraine”. An unnamed Israeli official was cited as saying “it is an Iranian attack, there is consensus on this in the Israeli intelligence and defence community”.

Iran released Prudent Warrior and Delta Poseidon, two Greek oil tankers seized in May. 

The U.S. 5^th Fleet revealed that on 8 November it interdicted a vessel “in the Gulf of Oman smuggling lethal aid, including a large quantity of explosive material, from Iran to Yemen”; the four Yemeni crewmembers were repatriated and the ship sunk. A U.S. commander maintained that the 70 tonnes of ammonium perchlorate found abroad “was a massive amount of explosive material, enough to fuel more than a dozen medium-range ballistic missiles depending on the size”. The U.S. statement also highlighted that “the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of weapons to the Huthis violates UN Security Council Resolution 2216 and international law”.

The U.S. military denied claims by a senior Iranian commander regarding the seizure of two naval drones. 

Seychelles signed on to the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC), joining nine other countries in the initiative.

An Iranian official reported that the IRGC had detained a vessel and its seven crew members for carrying smuggled fuel in the country’s southern waters. 

A senior CENTCOM commander maintained that “the most serious threats that we see do come from Iran. They come in two forms: the growth and capability and numbers of cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and UAVs, as well as their use of proxies in those particular weapons”.

The U.S. and UK held a joint maritime drill “which featured the use of unmanned systems and artificial intelligence to enhance maritime monitoring by crewed ships and operators ashore”.

Iranian border guards seized a vessel carrying smuggled fuel in the country’s southern waters.

Iran detained a vessel and its crew of seven for smuggling fuel in the country’s southern waters.

The U.S. Navy reported that on 1 September it had “intercepted an Iranian warship that seized and detained two U.S. unmanned surface vessels operated by U.S. 5th Fleet in the Red Sea… The Iranian warship released the Saildrones”. Iran’s navy stated that its destroyer had found the USVs “abandoned” and “inevitably took action to stop the vessels in order to prevent possible terrorist incidents and prevented the occurrence of unforeseen accidents”. On 4 September, Iranian Chief of Staff Bagheri asserted: “Our vessels will not tolerate such [foreign unmanned] units in their routes and will take action against them in the same way that it has already happened”.

The commander of CENTCOM criticised “Iran’s continued destabilising, illegal and unprofessional activity in the Middle East” after an IRGC ship attempted to seize a U.S. unmanned surface vessel in international waters. According to the U.S., “actions taken by U.S. naval forces in response resulted in the IRGCN vessel disconnecting the towing line to the USV and departing the area approximately four hours later”. The IRGC Navy rejected the U.S. version of events as “ridiclous”, suggesting that the USV’s “navigation communications were cut off”, therefore, Iranian forces towed it “with the aim of securing the shipping route and preventing a possible accident”.

An Iranian official reported the seizure of a vessel and detention of seven crew members allegedly carrying smuggled fuel in the country’s southern waters.

The IRGC reported seizing a vessel carrying smuggled fuel off Iran’s southern coast.

Iran’s Navy reported that one of its ships had, after receiving a distress signal from an Iranian commercial vessel, exchanged fire with “attacking boats” whose origin was not specified.

President Raisi told French President Macron that “Iran considers reaching an agreement dependent on the full resolution of [IAEA] safeguard issues and the provision of necessary guarantees, including the continued valid adherence of the parties to the agreement and the provision of the economic interests of the Iranian nation”.

The IRGC Navy’s commander told his Omani counterpart that Israel “gaining a foothold in the Persian Gulf region will have no result other than sowing sedition and creating insecurity”, and further assessed that the “countries of the Persian Gulf region have the required capacity and capability to preserve the security of this sensible region”.

Iran’s Navy unveiled in the Indian Ocean what was described as the country’s “first drone carrier division… capable of carrying various combat, surveillance and suicide drones”.

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz contended that “Iran is expanding its aggressive operations in the region in general, and in the naval arena in particular”. Presenting satellite images, Gantz maintained that “the presence of Iran’s military forces in the Red Sea in recent months is the most significant in a decade. It is a direct threat to trade, energy and the global economy”.

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command reported that “three vessels from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) interacted in an unsafe and unprofessional manner as U.S. Navy ships transited the Strait of Hormuz… [while] conducting a routine transit in international waters”, adding: “The IRGCN’s actions did not meet international standards of professional or safe maritime behaviour, increasing the risk of miscalculation and collision”. Too, the navy disclosed a similar “unsafe and unprofessional” incident that had taken place on 4 March.

The IRGC announced the arrest of what was described as a major fuel smuggling network. The same day, an Iranian official reported the seizure of a vessel carrying smuggled fuel off Iran’s southern coast, and detention of its six crewmembers.

U.S. Central Command announced that “coalition and regional partner air forces joined two U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortresses… on a presence patrol mission across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility” the previous day. A senior U.S. commander highlighted that “these highly coordinated efforts demonstrate our combined ability to provide global reach and joint security to the region”.

Yemen’s internationally-recognised government seized “a boat with six Iranian sailors on board” carrying a narcotics cargo. The Yemeni information minister contended that the “Iranian regime was not satisfied with smuggling ballistic missiles, drones, weapons, ammunition and IEDs experts for Huthi terrorist militia, rather it deliberately flood Yemen with drugs”. He further called on the “international community, UN and UNSC to condemn Iranian regime practices and take a clear and firm stance towards its terrorist activities”.

An Iranian official reported that coast guards had seized a vessel carrying smuggled fuel and arrested its crew members. The following day, a similar incident was reported, again off Iran’s southern coast.

Following reports of the U.S. seizing Iranian oil aboard a tanker off the coast of Greece, the IRGC declared that it had seized two Greek oil tankers, identified as Prudent Warrior and Delta Poseidon. According to industry sources, the former was carrying a U.S.-bound cargo from Iraq and the latter was heading from Iraq to Greece. The Greek foreign ministry delivered a “strong-worded demarche” to Iran’s ambassador, condemned what it described as “actions… essentially tantamount to acts of piracy” and “called for the immediate release of the ships and their crews”. On 30 May, speaking with his Greek counterpart, Secretary of State Antony Blinken denounced the seizure “in the strongest terms” and contended: “Iran’s continued harassment of vessels and interference with navigational rights and freedoms are a threat to maritime security and the global economy”. 

The EU Naval Force reported that the Hong Kong-flagged sailing vessel Lakota came under armed attack off the coast of Hodeida by “three boats, with five person on-board with civilian clothes”, adding: “The sailing vessel managed to escape and the crew is safe”.

An Iranian official reported the seizure of a vessel carrying smuggled fuel and detention of seven crew members.

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command reported that a destroyer patrolling in the Gulf of Oman had interdicted “illegal narcotics during a flag verification boarding”, taking custody of the drugs and fishing vessel. “The vessel’s nine crew members identified themselves as Iranian nationals and will be transferred to a regional nation for repatriation”, the statement added.

An Iranian official reported that the IRGC had detained a vessel carrying smuggled fuel, along with its four crew members.

CENTCOM Commander Erik Kurilla described “Iran as the most destabilising force in the Middle East”, adding: “The U.S.’s position is that we will not allow a nuclear Iran. However, our concerns about Iran go beyond its nuclear capability”. He further indicated that “we are concerned about the smuggling of advanced conventional munitions by sea to support Huthi operations. Therefore, anti-smuggling operations with the Royal Saudi Naval Forces will serve as an area of focus for me… maintaining safe and secure waterways is a critical responsibility for us and our partners”.

Iran’s IRGC reported seizing a foreign vessel carrying smuggled fuel off the southern coast; the crew of eight were arrested. According to the statement, “five other boats that intended to refuel the foreign-flagged vessel were also taken into custody for further investigation”.

Iran’s navy commander remarked that “the northern Indian Ocean is a main waterway to connect the continents. If we do not have an effective presence, governments without a right will come [to the region] and approach our territorial waters. However, owing to the authority and presence of our fleet in high seas and constant monitoring, we do not have any problems and no country dares approach our country's waters”. “We escort our ships in all the waters across the globe to ensure [their] security and we are faced with no restrictions”, he added.

The IRGC reported seizing a vessel carrying “smuggled fuel in the Persian Gulf”; the crew of seven were arrested.

Iran’s defence minister told his Japanese counterpart of “Iran’s stance on the necessity of providing the security of navigation and said that the presence of foreign forces was illegitimate and detrimental to security”. According to Japan’s defence ministry, their minister “explained the extension of the JSDF information gathering activities in the Middle East”.

The Saudi foreign ministry announced that the Kingdom and Kuwait had “agreed to expedite the development and exploitation of the Dorra field”, noting that they “had previously invited the Islamic Republic of Iran to negotiate the delimitation of the eastern boundary of the submerged divided zone but these call were not met”.  The two countries “as a single negotiating party, renew their invitation to the Islamic Republic of Iran to hold these negotiations”, Riyadh indicated.

The U.S. Fifth Fleet’s commander announced the establishment of a new naval task force as part of the 34-nation Combined Maritime Forces to patrol the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Bab al-Mandab beginning 17 April. Admiral Brad Cooper said the initiative would “enhance security and stability in the Red Sea and the region”, adding that “the standup of this organisation really reflects a regional consensus on the importance of maritime security in these bodies of water”.

The IRGC detained a “foreign ship carrying smuggled fuel in the Persian Gulf”; eleven foreign crew members were arrested.

IRGC Commander Hossein Salami remarked that “some regimes to the south of the Persian Gulf have established political and security relations with the Zionist regime [ie, Israel], which poses a serious threat to the security of the region and especially those regimes… The continuation of such relations are not acceptable at all, and they should know that the existence of the evil Zionist regime everywhere is a cause of insecurity”.

Romania signed on to the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC), joining eight other countries in the initiative.

The U.S. said it was “deeply disappointed and troubled by the presence of Iranian military officials and reportedly Iran’s IRGC officers at the Doha Defense Show”, adding: “We utterly reject their presence… as it is Iran that is [the] biggest threat to maritime stability in the Gulf region. Transactions related to Iranian weapons are generally sanctionable under multiple U.S. authorities”.

The U.S. and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held Working Groups on Integrated Air and Missile Defence and Maritime Security in Riyadh. Participants denounced “Iran’s malign behaviour through proxies and direct use of advanced ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Iran has used these weapons and supported terrorist and other armed groups to conduct hundreds of attacks in the region”. They further emphasised “the importance of strengthening the ability of the GCC countries to collectively address these threats”, noting too “the importance of having advancing integrated defence initiatives” as well as prospective “joint training and exercises to prevent Iran from holding the region at risk”.

A U.S. official reported that the Huthis on 5 March fired a missile into the Red Sea, adding: “Although maritime traffic was not impacted in this instance, these actions are destabilising and present a danger to all vessels transiting a critical international waterway”.

The IRGC reported seizing “two vessels carrying smuggled fuel… [bound for] the Persian Gulf states”.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett indicated that “recently we have seen a rise in threats on the maritime front, in sailing and shipping lanes. I certainly see this as a threat, and we must know that the target is the State of Israel, but not only [the State of Israel]. Therefore, I am particularly pleased with the growing and solidifying strategic cooperation with the U.S. on joint naval exercises and with other allies in the region”.

The U.S. Navy announced that on 18 January it “interdicted a stateless fishing vessel… transiting from Iran in waters outside of any state’s territorial sea along a route historically used to traffic weapons to the Huthis in Yemen”, adding: “U.S. forces discovered 40 tons of urea fertilizer, a chemical compound with agricultural applications that is also known to be used as an explosive precursor”. According to the statement, “the vessel, cargo and five Yemeni crewmembers” were handed over Yemeni authorities.

UK Maritime Trade Operations said it had “received reports of an attack on an MV [motor vessel]… approximately 23 nautical miles west of Ras Isa Marine Terminal”. The Saudi-led coalition identified the vessel as the UAE-flagged Rwabee, accused the Huthis of “piracy and hijacking” and indicated that the ship had been “carrying medical field equipment”. The Huthis maintained that it had “entered Yemeni waters without authorisation” and bore “clearly military equipment”. The U.S. denounced the seizure, calling on “the Huthis to immediately release the ship and crew unharmed and to cease all violence that sets back the political process to end the war in Yemen”.

The IRGC concluded a five-day drill by testing sixteen ballistic missiles as well as drones. Iran’s military chief of staff indicated that the drill had been “planned in advance, but the numerous, empty threats of the Zionist regime’s [ie, Israel] officials in recent days caused this exercise to take place at this time”.

The IRGC tested “combat drones as well as sophisticated ballistic and cruise missiles” during military exercises off Iran’s southern coast; an IRGC naval commander asserted that the drill had a “message of peace” and maintained: “we the countries of the region can fully ensure the security of the Persian Gulf and shared waters via collective cooperation, and we do not need the presence of extra-regional countries at all”.

CENTCOM reported that “a U.S. Navy vessel rescued two Iranian mariners… from a fishing vessel after it was adrift for eight days in the Gulf of Oman”.

Defense Minister Benny Gantz highlighted two Iranian facilities that he asserted served as bases for UAV operations, noting that “most of the drone attacks that we’ve seen so far have been from southern and south-eastern Iran against targets at sea”. On the nuclear issue, Gantz maintained: “a diplomatic solution is preferable, but alongside that we need to have on the table the use of force… Sometimes the use of force, and a demonstration of it, is able to prevent the need for a stronger use of force”.

The IRGC announced the seizure in Iranian waters of “a foreign ship carrying smuggled fuel”; the crew of eleven were detained.

The IRGC Navy’s commander claimed Iran had “slap[ed] the Americans six times in one and a half years of confrontation, many of which have not been covered by the media yet”. “We in the IRGC Navy have sacrificed nine martyrs in direct battles with the Americans to defend the territory of our beloved country in the Persian Gulf… [and in return] we were able to give them nine memorable slaps”, he added.

The Pentagon reported an “unsafe and unprofessional” interaction involving an Iranian helicopter and the USS Essex on 11 November. A spokesperson asserted that “there was no impact ultimately to the Essex’s transit or its operations”, and went on to assert: “when you have another armed force - in this case, the Iranian navy - that flies like this, you definitely run the risk of some sort of escalation and a miscalculation on either side here, and that’s not helpful. This one ended peacefully, but it doesn’t mean it was safe and professional. It absolutely wasn’t”. 

Iranian media claimed that the army had “intercepted two U.S. unmanned aerial vehicles that had penetrated into the country’s airspace during a military exercise, giving them stern warnings to stay away from the zone… the aircraft veered away and left the region shortly afterward”.

Media reports cited unnamed U.S. officials as indicating that “several drones, believed to be Iranian, had come close to the U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship Essex in the Strait of Hormuz”.

The IRGC claimed to have “thwarted an attack by U.S. terrorist forces on an Iranian tanker to confiscate its oil in the Sea of Oman” on 25 October. The Pentagon called the account “totally false and untrue”, with a spokesperson asserting that “the only seizing that was done was by Iran”. The vessel in question was identified as MV Southys, sailing under a Vietnamese flag. The Vietnamese foreign ministry indicated that they would “continue to closely follow the developments and work closely with Iranian authorities to resolve this issue”. On 10 November, the IRGC announced the tanker’s release after unloading its oil cargo in Iran.

The Iranian navy reported foiling “a pirate attack on one of the country’s oil tankers en route to the Gulf of Aden before entering Bab al-Mandab Strait”.

The U.S. military announced that “one U.S. Air Force B1-B ‘Lancer’ aircrew flew a presence patrol mission in the Central Region that included several partner nation air forces”, including Bahrain, Israel and Saudi Arabia. According to CENTCOM, “the bomber task force mission – the fifth in U.S. Central Command’s area of operation this year – was intended to deliver a clear message of reassurance”, with a route that “originated in the Indian Ocean, flew over the Gulf of Aden, Bab al-Mandab Strait, Red Sea, Suez Canal, Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman before departing the region”. 

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), alongside with Bahrain, conducted a two-day drill which it said “marked the first time NAVCENT integrated USVs [unmanned surface vessels] with manned assets at sea… [and] the first time for NAVCENT’s integration of USVs with manned assets at sea alongside partner forces”. NAVCENT’s commander stated that “working with our regional partners on unmanned systems integration is crucial to enhancing collective maritime domain awareness… Bahrain, as our first regional partner to collaborate with Task Force 59 during an at-sea exercise, demonstrates the strengthening of our strategic relationship”.

The commander of Iran’s navy reported that “the 78th naval fleet of the Islamic Republic of Iran, consisting of the Alborz destroyer, was attacked by five pirate boats… [in the Gulf of Aden] while escorting two Iranian tankers”. The attack was thwarted after “a heavy exchange of fire”, he added.

The IRGC released footage purporting to show “an encounter between its speedboats and two U.S. vessels in the Persian Gulf”, wherein “the speedboats chase after the American vessels until they leave the area”. A U.S. military spokesperson was cited as saying “he wasn’t aware of any sort of unsafe interaction with Iran in the last two days”.

Speaking alongside with his Bahraini counterpart in Manama, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid remarked that “together with all our friends in the Gulf, we are leading a brave coalition of moderates who are looking ahead to create a prosperous future of stability and tolerance… Those who are reclusive will disappear. Those who cooperate will lead both the world and the Middle East”. He went on to say that “our opportunities [with Bahrain] are shared, our threats are shared, and they are not far from here”. The two officials also met with the U.S. commander of NAVCENT, and held “a discussion on regional maritime security cooperation”. Iranian Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian subsequently warned that “Tel Aviv will bring nothing but insecurity for Bahrain and the region”, and a diplomatic spokesperson, who claimed that “this stain will not be erased from the reputation of Bahrain’s rulers”, argued that “the people of the region will continue to oppose the process of normalisation of ties”.

Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson asserted that “there has been remarkable progress in the talks over security in the Persian Gulf… talks [between Tehran and Riyadh] have never stopped  and messages have been exchanged in proper level after the new administration in Iran took office”. He further said that “if Saudi Arabia pays serious attention to Iran’s message that the solution to the region’s problems lies in the region itself and there should be an inclusive regional solution, the two countries may have a good, sustainable relationship”.

The U.S. military announced the formation of Task Force 59, based at Naval Forces Central Command. The commander of NAVCENT explained that “we need to get unmanned systems out into the fleet”, and indicated that the objective was to “enhance our maritime domain awareness and to increase our deterrence”.

Israel’s defence minister indicated that “our assessment is that the UAV employed in the [July 2021] Mercer Street attack was launched from Iranian territory and approved by Iranian leadership”.

Addressing a UN Security Council session on maritime security, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the 29 July attack on the M/T Mercer Street off the coast of Oman, asserting that “we are confident that Iran conducted this unjustified attack, which is part of a pattern of attacks and other provocative behaviour”. “It is on all of our nations to hold accountable those responsible”, Blinken added. “Failing to do so will only fuel their sense of impunity and embolden others inclined to disregard the maritime order”. Iran’s UN representative rejected the claims, insisting that “there is no irrefutable, verifiable and conclusive evidence” of Iranian involvement and contending that “it is an open secret that Israel is the master in conducting false flag operations”.

The U.S. military announced that an investigation into a 29 July drone attack against a tanker off the coast of Oman had concluded that the “UAV was produced in Iran”. The same day, the U.S. joined other G-7 in a statement condemning the attack as “deliberate and targeted”, adding: “Iran’s behaviour, alongside its support to proxy forces and non-state armed actors, threatens international peace and security. We call on Iran to stop all activities inconsistent with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and call on all parties to play a constructive role in fostering regional stability and peace”. Responding to the statement, Israel’s foreign minister asserted that “Iran isn’t just an Israeli problem, it’s a global problem. It’s time for the world to hold the Iranian regime to account”. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett subsequently contended that following the G-7 statement “it has become a test of actions and not just statements”, adding: “Iran constitutes a clear danger to the stability of the region and the peace of the world and the world must not accept this. The Iranians need to understand that it is impossible to continue running amok without paying a price”.

Israel’s defence and foreign ministers told UN Security Council ambassadors that the Israeli government had “acted in all possible diplomatic and security channels in order to call on the international community to set clear boundaries for Iran and to cease its aggressive conduct”, underscoring that “Israel will maintain the right to act independently in the face of any attack or threat” and also noting that “action may be taken through the UN Security Council or any other international framework that will hold Iran accountable for its actions”. Defence Minister Benny Gantz named two Iranian IRGC officials whom he said were involved in Iranian drone operations, including the 29 July attack against the M/T Mercer Street, and, further asserting that Iran “is only ten weeks away from acquiring weapons-grade materials necessary for a nuclear weapon”, contended: “It is time for diplomatic, economic and even military deeds – otherwise the attacks will continue”. The same day, Iran sent a letter to the UN Security Council characterising the Israeli claim as “factually wrong and politically and ethically irresponsible”.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett asserted: “regarding the ship and the Iranian issue in general: We are working on enlisting the world but at the same time, we also know how to act alone. Iran already knows the price that we exact when someone threatens our security. The Iranians need to understand that it is impossible to sit peacefully in Tehran and from there ignite the entire Middle East”. “Against Iran, speeches are not enough”, Bennett added.

Two people were killed in an incident aboard the M/T Mercer Street, a Japanese-owned ship managed by Zodiac Maritime, UK-based company owned by an Israeli businessman. Zodiac Maritime reported that “at the time of the incident, the vessel was in the northern Indian Ocean”, and that it had subsequently travelled “to a safe location with a U.S. naval escort”. The U.S. military indicated that “initial indications clearly point to a UAV-style [ie, drone] attack”. Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid asserted that “Iran is not just an Israeli problem, but an exporter of terrorism and instability that harms us all. The world must not be silent in the face of Iranian terrorism that also harms freedom of shipping”. Iran’s foreign ministry denied involvement in the attack, accusing Israel of “bogus allegations”.

Iran’s navy commander indicated that “while the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman are a safe and stable region, in recent years we have witnessed increased insecurity in the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and that’s why we do not understand the [reason for] the presence of coalition forces in the Persian Gulf. We believe that the main purpose of their presence is to undermine dialogue between the effective [regional] navies”. Referring to U.S. and European deployments, he further noted that “we monitor and keep a watchful eye on all their movements and vessels, even from a far distance… [and] believe that such uncalled-for security combinations do not enhance collective security and should be suspended”. Relatedly, GCC officials met with a senior U.S. naval official and, according to a GCC readout, “stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation in maritime security”.

The Kharq, an Iranian navy vessel used for logistics and training, sank off the coast of Jask; a military spokesperson said a fire “had started from the engine house” and proved uncontainable.

An Indonesian official announced the release of an Iranian tanker seized in January over “the suspected illegal transfer of oil”; Tehran had described the ship’s detention as stemming from “a technical issue”.

Commenting on “tensions between Israel and Iran… in the Gulf and the Red Sea”, CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie maintained that the “low level engagement that’s continued over a period could certainly lead to an expansion of hostilities and some miscalculation or provocation could occur there. And we watch that very closely”. He further was asked about the idea of a hotline with Iran and maintained: “It takes two sides that want to have that happen for that to occur… In general, it is a good thing to be able to communicate. It decreases the probability of miscalculation. It allows military to military communications, which can often reduce tensions”.

The Pentagon announced that “thirteen ‘fast boats’ with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy precariously approached U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessels that were operating in the Strait of Hormuz. After those ships failed to heed warnings to move away to a safe distance, the U.S. fired warning shots”. A spokesperson asserted that “harassment by the IRGC Navy is not a new phenomenon… this kind of activity is the kind of activity that could lead to somebody getting hurt, and could lead to a real miscalculation in the region, and that doesn’t serve anybody’s interests”. The IRGC Navy asserted that the U.S. was “making false and unrealistic allegations”, and contended that the “Americans must strictly abide by international regulations and the laws of navigation”. The IRGC statement further characterised “the illegal, unprofessional and high-risk behavior of foreign forces, especially the U.S. Navy Fleet, which poses a threat to the maritime security of this sensitive area, as their red line”.

A Pentagon spokesperson indicated that “we have… made clear through diplomatic channels our concerned [sic] about IRGC navy activities”, adding: “The IRGC’s not the Iranian state navy and doesn’t have the same reporting structure as the Iranian state navy. Our interactions with the Iranian state navy have remained professional, but that’s a whole different reporting chain up to the elected government, and the IRGC doesn’t report along those same lines”. He further maintained that “you don’t need a hotline with the IRGC to communicate”, adding: “I don’t believe that there’s a need, nor… I would suspect no appetite for any sort of operational or strategic communication between us and the IRGC. We have diplomatic channels that we work through appropriately to communicate our displeasure to Tehran”. The spokesperson asserted that “our commanders at sea have the right and responsibility to defend themselves against threats”, and noted: “This incident [on 26 April]… did finally result in what ended up finally breaking the fever… Nobody wants to even see it come to that”.

IRGC navy commander Alireza Tangsiri asserted that “every ship that enters the Persian Gulf is monitored in the Strait of Hormuz, citing the law on channel control, and is forced to introduce itself”. He also contended that the “strategic position of the Persian Gulf has to some extent led to regional challenges, including the fierce competition in the field of military arms sales… The wrong policies of some countries in the Persian Gulf have created a kind of market for the sale and trade of arms between the transregional and western countries in the Persian Gulf”. A U.S. defence official subsequently noted “no such requirement” regarding identification, adding: “It’s an international strait, and we continue to sail and operate in accordance with international law and international custom”.

Discussing Iran-Israel tensions, CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie stressed that “it is not our desire to have a war with Iran. And we would hope it is not their desire to have a war with us… There is a low-level conflict that’s being fought out across the theater. But we do not intend to enter that conflict”.

The U.S. Navy stated that the previous day, “three Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy fast inshore attack craft failed to exercise due regard for the safety of other vessels… as they came into close proximity to U.S. naval vessels in international waters of the north Arabian Gulf”. The navy reported that “U.S. crews issued multiple warnings… but the IRGCN vessels continued their close range maneuvers. The crew of [USS] Firebolt then fired warning shots, and the IRGC vessels moved away to a safe distance”. It went on assert that “the IRGCN’s actions increased the risk of miscalculation and/or collision”, and underscored that “our commanding officers retain the inherent right to act in self-defence”.

CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie assessed that “the activities we usually see from the IRGC navy [in the Gulf] are not necessarily activities directed by the Supreme Leader from the Iranian state, rather irresponsible actions by local commanders on scene”. He added that “we are very careful so as not to get into a provocative cycle as a result of that. Luckily our guys are very good… and they’re able to de-escalate”. Referring to Iranian naval mines, McKenzie noted that it was “an area of significant concern to me, given Iran’s number of mines, their proximity to the Strait of Hormuz and the difficulty of minesweeping in a congested waterway”.

Media reports citing U.S. navy officials indicated that on 2 April, “a group of boats from Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps harassed two U.S. Coast Guard ships… in the Persian Gulf”. “The American crews issued multiple warnings over a three-hour period as the Iranian ships continued to buzz them… after approximately three hours of the U.S. issuing warnings and conducting defensive maneuvers, the IRGCN vessels maneuvered away from the U.S. ships and opened distance between them”, a U.S. navy spokesperson reported; according to the Fifth Fleet it was the first instance of an “unsafe and unprofessional” interaction involving Iranian and U.S. vessels since April 2020. 

U.S. CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie described the threat of sea mines as an “example of an Iranian asymmetric capability that they can employ against [the U.S.]”, and further assessed: “the Strait of Hormuz is a logical place for them to do that… There’s another area though that is also of concern to us and that’s the Bab al-Mandab in the Southern Red Sea where they might be able to do it through their Huthi proxies down there”. Relatedly, the commander of U.S. AFRICOM assessed that “Iranian military capabilities threaten sea-lanes through the Red Sea and our posture locations in the Horn of Africa. Iranian support to Yemen’s Huthis further jeopardises freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and increases tensions and instability in East Africa”.

Meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, President Rouhani was quoted as contending that “allowing the Israeli regime a foothold in the Persian Gulf region is ‘dangerous’, given the fact that the regime is a ‘destabilising and provocative’ element”. In a separate conversation with the Qatari Emir, President Rouhani underlined “the need to resolve regional issues and crises, including the Yemeni crisis, through dialogue and negotiation”, adding: “the only successful way to ensure security, peace and stability in the region is resolving issues peacefully, responsibility and taking into account the collective interests, and we believe that militarism cannot resolve regional issues”.

Media reports indicated that “a commercial vessel owned by an Israeli firm was attacked off the coast of the United Arab Emirates”. Initial accounts in the Israeli press indicated that “officials in Jerusalem believe Iran is responsible”, while the ship, identified as Hyperion Ray, was said to have sustained “a small amount of damage”.

Iran’s foreign ministry confirmed the release of a South Korean oil tanker seized by the IRGC in January, purportedly “due to the violation of environmental rules”. “Following the completion of the investigation into the violation of the Korean ship and at the request of the owner and the Korean government for the release, the prosecutor ordered the release of the ship”, the spokesperson noted.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that an Iranian ship, the Saviz, was hit the day before by an explosion in the Red Sea, causing “minor damage with no casualties”. “The Saviz civilian ship was stationed… to provide maritime security along the shipping lanes and to fight pirates”, the ministry added, placing the incident near the Djibouti coast. Washington denied involvement in the incident, while media reports citing a U.S. official indicated that “the Israelis had notified the U.S. that its forces had struck the vessel… [in] retaliation for earlier Iranian strikes on Israeli vessels”.

Asked about Israel’s involvement in a 12 March “terrorist attack” on an Iranian cargo vessel, Defence Minister Benny Gantz maintained that “I’m not saying anything about what we did or didn’t do. We have an obligation to be preemptive on all fronts… By land, they [ie, Iranians] are supporting militias in Iraq and Syria – and by air and sea, they are sending weapons to Lebanon”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson subsequently contended that “given the geographical location of the attack it is possible that this terrorist act was carried out by the Zionist regime [ie, Israel]”. He further asserted that “Iran would consider all options when it finds out who has been involved in this operation, and will resort to them to protect its legitimate rights”.

An Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines spokesperson asserted that an Iranian cargo vessel bound for Europe, Shahr-e Kord, had on 10 March been “damaged in [a] terrorist attack in the international waters of the Mediterranean sea”. He further stated that “such terrorist acts amount to naval piracy, and are contrary to international law on commercial shipping security, and legal action will be taken to identify the perpetrators”. The announcement came one day after media reports citing U.S. officials suggested that since 2019 Israel had “targeted at least a dozen vessels bound for Syria and mostly carrying Iranian oil”. 

Commenting on a 26 February explosion on an Israeli-owned vessel in the Gulf of Oman, Prime Minister Netanyahu contended that “this was indeed an operation by Iran”, while asserting: “Iran is Israel’s biggest enemy. I am determined to fend it off. We are striking at it all over the region”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson denied any involvement in the incident, adding: “the security of the Persian Gulf is extremely important for Iran and we will not allow them to spread fear in the region by such accusations”. He further noted that Iran was “monitoring all the actions made by the [Israeli] regime in security zone of Iran in the past few months, and we will give a response where it happens”.

Iran’s navy commander remarked that “the navy of the army has a strong presence in the Red Sea and escorts the tankers of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which are threatened by proxy terrorist groups to make sure the vessels safely cross the Bab al-Mandeb Strait to the Red Sea”. He further asserted that “the enemies wanted to close the ports on us in the first phase, and in the second phase to close the seas and sea routes to our trade ships and oil tankers… the deployment of the navy had disrupted all of the enemy’s equations at sea”.

Against the backdrop of a joint Russian-Iranian naval drill, a senior Iranian military official remarked that “the North Indian Ocean is located between three of the world’s five strategic straits and, in fact, surrounds the world’s energy, doubling the need for maritime security due to the move of merchant vessels and tankers in this sensitive area”.

Meeting with the Qatari foreign minister in Tehran, President Rouhani asserted that “we remain committed to the Hormuz Peace Endeavour (HOPE) initiative and believe that peace and stability in the region will not be achieved except through cooperation and dialogue between the countries of the region, and it is the countries of the region that must decide for their own”.

Iran’s defence minister asserted that “Iran does not welcome militarisation of the [Indian Ocean] region and is concerned about unconstructive arms races, accumulation of weapons and transformation of the region into a weapons arsenal”. He further cautioned against what he described as “U.S. and Israeli attempts to use terrorism as a tool to extend their influence in the region”, while voicing “Iran’s willingness to play a more significant and active role in maintaining the security of the Indian Ocean region”.

Iran released the crew of the Hankuk Chemi, a South Korean-flagged tanker seized on 4 January for having caused “environmental pollution”.

Indonesian officials announced the seizure of “an Iranian tanker and Panamanian tanker suspected of carrying out the illegal transfer of oil”. Acknowledging the incident, Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson described it as a “technical issue”.

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif maintained that Iran would “respond positively to any initiative for regional dialogue advanced in good faith”. He also contended that “neither the U.S. nor its European allies have the prerogative to lead or sponsor future talks. Rather, the Persian Gulf region needs an inclusive regional mechanism to encourage diplomacy and cooperation and to lower the risk of miscalculation and conflict”. He further referred to Iran’s Hormuz Peace Endeavor (HOPE) proposal and said: “The invitation is still on the table”.

South Korean media reports citing a diplomatic source indicated that South Korea had “moved its anti-piracy naval unit operating near the Strait of Hormuz away from the waterway to foster a positive mood ahead of negotiations with Iran over a seized oil tanker and its sailors”.

The IRGC test fired ballistic missiles and drones during a military exercise in central Iran. A senior IRGC official claimed that “through the combination of new missile capabilities and drone operation with artificial intelligence, today a new power was born in the IRGC”. On the second day of the drill, a senior IRGC official reported that “various classes of long-range ballistic missiles were launched in the final stage of the war game… to detonate the hypothetical enemy’s warships from a distance of 1,800km north of the Indian Ocean”. IRGC Commander Hossein Salami maintained that “these exercises are held so that the enemies do not make mistakes in their calculations or estimation about Iran's defence power”.

Against the backdrop of war games in the Gulf of Oman, Iran’s military chief of staff, Mohammad Baqeri, announced that Iran would “once again include the Red Sea in the list of zones for its naval patrol operations after a series of limited actions against Iranian trade vessels”. On the second day of the military exercise, Iran’s navy commander asserted that “our approach today is not just defensive. We are prepared for whatever offensive operation [as well]”. The same day, the Iranian army reported spotting a foreign submarine approaching the drill zone, which “left the region immediately after being traced”.

IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri maintained that “the naval forces of the IRGC and the Iranian Army are present in the Persian Gulf and this presence continues through the southern waters to the Indian Ocean”, emphasising that “[they] are fully prepared against any aggression”.­­­

The IRGC inaugurated an underground missile base on Iran’s southern coast. IRGC Commander Hossein Salami remarked that “this is one of the several facilities for keeping the strategic missiles of IRGC naval force in which a column of missiles and launching systems are deployed… With a range of hundreds of kilometers, these missiles have pinpointing and high destruction capability to penetrate into the enemy’s electronic war equipment”. He further asserted that “our enemies do not accept the power of logic, but rely on the logic of power. Therefore, we have no option but to strengthen the defensive and offensive deterrent power for preventing the imposition of their hegemonic will and plots”. 

U.S. Central Command announced that it had dispatched two B-52H bombers to “the Arabian Gulf and back to send a clear deterrent message”. “The temporary deployment, the fourth in the last two months… is one element of a robust U.S. defensive posture that includes the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) aircraft carrier and other assets”, the statement added. A U.S. military spokesperson emphasised that “America doesn’t seek conflict… This mission is a measured approach to demonstrate that we are committed to the defence of our forces in the region and are capable of responding to any aggression on short notice”.

IRGC Commander Hossein Salami warned that “the enemy should be careful about its miscalculations in the region”, adding: “We have rolled up our sleeves for the security of Persian Gulf”.

Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson maintained that “the actions and moves and some mischief of the U.S. are not hidden from our eyes, and our intelligence, security and military services are fully aware of the seemingly secret moves of the U.S. in the region and Iraq”. “The messages have been clearly conveyed to Washington and the countries of the region”, he added, while reiterating “the role of the agents and allies of the Zionist regime [ie, Israel] can be seen in some tensions, especially in Iraq”.

The IRGC Navy announced that it had seized Hankuk Chemi, a South Korean-flagged tanker, and detained its crew of twenty because of “environmental and chemical pollution concerns”, for which Iran asked for compensation. The incident occurred in the Strait of Hormuz. The South Korean government called for “the early release of the ship”. A U.S. diplomatic spokesperson maintained that Iran “continues to threaten navigational rights and freedoms in the Persian Gulf as part of a clear attempt to extort the international community into relieving the pressure of sanctions. We join the Republic of Korea’s call for Iran to immediately release the tanker”. An Iranian government spokesperson subsequently argued that “if there is any hostage-taking, it is Korea’s government that is holding $7 billion, which belongs to us, hostage”.

U.S. Acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller announced that “due to the recent threats issued by Iranian leaders against President Trump and other U.S. government officials... the USS Nimitz will now remain on station in the U.S. Central Command area of operations”. “No one should doubt the resolve of the U.S.”, he added.

The Iraqi military reported that it had dismantled a naval mine found attached to an Iraqi oil tanker.

Iran wrote to the UN Security Council objecting to increased U.S. “military adventurism… in the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea”. “Coupled with a series of systematic disinformation campaign, unfounded accusations and inflammatory statements and threats… such confrontational measures have further deteriorated the already tense security environment of this highly volatile region”, the letter added. “If unchecked, such warmongering tendencies could escalate the situation to an alarming level, and it is self-evident that the U.S. shall bear the full responsibility for all consequences”. Relatedly, Foreign Minister Javad Zarif claimed that “intelligence from Iraq indicate plot to fabricate pretext for war”, asserting: “Iran doesn’t seek war but will openly and directly defend its people, security and vital interests”. Relatedly, media reports indicated that “the U.S. has seen increasing indications that Iran could be planning an attack against American forces or interests in the Middle East”, with an unnamed U.S. official describing Iran’s intentions as “difficult and at times unpredictable” to assess.

Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani decried “the increase of U.S. army provocation in the region” and said: “These measures have increased entropy of insecurity and leads to harmful misunderstandings”. Relatedly, Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson indicated that Tehran “sent a message to the U.S. and its allies in the region that the U.S. should not resort to any new adventurism in the last days of” the Trump administration. He also responded to reports of an Israeli submarine reportedly en route to the Gulf and an Israeli military spokesperson indicating that “the IDF operates freely in the Middle East and that Israeli submarines sail to ‘different places, far and near’”, asserting: “Everyone knows very well how high the risk is raised if the red lines of Iran are crossed”.

Speaking at a ceremony marking a rotation of Iranian forces, a senior Iranian naval official posited that “ensuring the security of Iran’s commercial transportation lines, the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, conveying the message of peace and friendship of Iran to other countries present in the Gulf of Aden are among the missions of the Iranian naval flotilla”.

A senior U.S. naval official assessed that “we have achieved an uneasy deterrence [with Iran]. That uneasy deterrence is exacerbated by world events and by events along the way… But I have found Iranian activity at sea to be cautious and circumspect and respectful, to not risk unnecessary miscalculation or escalation at sea”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson responded: “We are happy that the other party has got the message and made its behaviour more respectful”, while deeming the U.S. presence in the region as the “main source of tension”.

The IRGC detained “a foreign vessel with Panamanian nationality… in the Persian Gulf, while it was loading the smuggled fuel”.

Speaking at the unveiling of an “ocean-going, helicopter and drone-carrying warship”, IRGC Commander Hossein Salami asserted that “we will not be limited to any specific geography to defend our security and vital interests and if anyone wants to threaten the interests of this nation and great country, certainly he/she will not find a safe point on Earth”. “We are never the first to threaten any country; but this defensive strategy has always been accompanied by offensive tactics”, Salami added.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo approved “the UAE’s proposed purchase of several advanced [defence] capabilities that are worth $23.37b”, explaining that the decision “is in recognition of our deepening relationship and the UAE’s need for advanced defense capabilities to deter and defend itself against heightened threats from Iran”. Pompeo added: “The UAE’s historic agreement to normalise relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to positively transform the region’s strategic landscape. Our adversaries, especially those in Iran, know this and will stop at nothing to disrupt this shared success”.

The U.S. and the UAE launched a strategic dialogue, which they jointly stated was in part “meant to underline the importance of U.S.-UAE defence coordination to deter military threats through joint planning, training, exercises and interoperability of equipment”.

Speaking at a UN Security Council session on the “situation in the Persian Gulf region”, Foreign Minister Javad Zarif asserted that “we need collective efforts by regional countries to establish inclusive dialogue and security networking in this region”. He also called for “a strong region that precludes hegemonic illusions by any power- regional or global”, adding that “together we can envisage a broad spectrum of cooperation and confidence-building measures”. At the same session, the U.S. representative argued that “the international community does not need yet another mechanism to promote Gulf security. The Security Council has all the tools at its disposal to hold Iran accountable; we must simply decide to do so”.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper remarked that “so many of the countries in the region recognise that the biggest concern they have, we have too, is Iran and its maligned behaviour through that region… The vision would be to have some type of security construct out there, where countries on the peninsula, Israel and others, are working together to deter conflict with Iran”. He also noted that “all of those countries have an interest, certainly have concerns – freedom of navigation through the Persian Gulf, freedom of commerce, threats to the sovereignty of the countries… countries are recognizing that reality and they’re seeing the other possible benefits, as well, of normalisation”. 

Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami discussed the expiry of UN arms restrictions on Iran and maintained that “the ground for selling and buying weapons is prepared for the Islamic Republic of Iran, but of course, the sales will be more”. “There must not be an arms race, as this would turn the region into a powder keg”, Hatami emphasised, adding: “we are ready to sign military and security agreements with the countries of the Persian Gulf in order to strengthen regional stability”. He further warned that “the normalisation of relations of the UAE and Bahrain with the Zionist regime [ie, Israel] is a direct threat to the security of the Persian Gulf region”, and “any Israeli threat coming from the Persian Gulf will face a clear and direct response”. Hatami went on to affirm that “the Islamic Republic will not negotiate with the U.S. regarding its missile systems”.

A senior Iranian diplomat insisted that the “Persian Gulf’s security is an issue of common interest for all regional countries… the establishment of sustainable security in the region is contingent upon dialogue and collective cooperation among regional countries and non-interference by foreign powers”. “Instead of deploying troops and military equipment or selling massive amounts of arms to certain regional countries”, he added, “European countries had better tackle the root cause of tensions in the region, namely the U.S.’s destructive and wrong policies in the Persian Gulf region”. 

A senior IRGC official cautioned that “Iran will not just retaliate any U.S. attempt to inspect Iranian ships in international waters, but also give a decisive response to such moves in sensitive places… They will face our massive fire”. He further insisted that “the U.S. will not succeed to achieve its objective of imposing [an] arms ban against Iran”. 

IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri indicated that during a “tracing operation, [the USS] Nimitz aircraft carrier along with escorting warships… were identified and traced [by Iranian drones] before entering the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf” on 18 September.

The IRGC inaugurated a new naval base east of the Strait of Hormuz. IRGC Commander Hossein Salami asserted that “with the opening and unveiling of this base, the country’s combat operations, ship operations, reconnaissance, as well as defensive and offensive operations in the Persian Gulf, will further develop”. 

A senior Iranian navy official cautioned that a U.S. “aircraft carrier [ie, USS Nimitz], two cruisers and a number of destroyers are in the Persian Gulf. They are close to us and, if need be, we will definitely put them in the crosshairs”.

The Iranian military asserted that “three U.S. aircraft… including P-8 Poseidon and MQ-9 and RQ-4 drones, were intercepted” by an Iranian drone after entering a drill zone, prompting them to withdraw.

Prior to a military drill near the Strait of Hormuz, a senior Iranian military official posited that “the security of West Asia and its strategic waters depends on the localisation of the security and constructive cooperation between all regional countries and not allowing transregional forces to be present in the regional waters”. “The enemies of the Islamic Republic should know that in case they commit any strategic mistake, the geography of battle and the stage of Iran’s response to their measures will not be limited to the West Asian region”, he warned. The drill kicked off the following day. An Iranian military spokesperson indicated that Iran’s Air Force had notified “all foreign drones flying near the exercise site to leave”, and claimed that “since then, we have been witnessing a noticeable change in the activities of U.S. drones”.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Jerusalem and met with senior Israeli officials. During a joint press appearance, Prime Minister Netanyahu discussed the normalisation agreement between the U.S., Israel and the UAE and underscored that “this is the alliance of the moderates against the radicals, against those who use violence and aggression to further their aims against those who believe that we can offer… a better future for our people through cooperation”. Secretary Pompeo noted that “we have a 20-plus year security relationship with the UAE as well… We will now continue to review that process to make sure that we’re delivering them with the equipment that they need to secure and defend their own people from this same threat from the Islamic Republic of Iran as well. We are deeply committed to doing that, to achieving that, and we’ll do it in a way that preserves our commitment to Israel as well”. During his visit, Pompeo also met with the UK Foreign Secretary and “discussed coordination on countering Iran’s destabilising influence in the region”.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned the UAE’s chargé d’affaires after UAE coast guards on 17 August reportedly opened fire at Iranian fishing vessels, killing two, and seized a boat (subsequently released, along with its crew). The ministry also announced that the same day “a UAE vessel was intercepted and its crew arrested by Iranian border guard boats for illegally entering Iranian waters”. On 8 October, a senior Iranian diplomat confirmed that the UAE had paid “blood money” for the two Iranian fishermen killed in the incident.

Referring to the 14 August announcement of an agreement between the U.S., Israel and the UAE on “full normalisation of relations between Israel and the UAE”, President Rouhani indicated that “the rulers of the UAE should know that if they think they can get closer to the enemies of Islam and Iran, they can buy security for themselves, they have gone in the wrong direction… We warn them not to want to invite Israel to the region, in which case they will be treated differently”. The IRGC condemned the agreement as “shameful” and Iran’s Armed Forces warned that the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi “will face negative consequences of this shameful action like ousted Egyptian President Anwar Sadat”. The following day, Iran’s Chief of Staff remarked that “we consider any tension in the region as a consequence of this move” and urged the UAE to “leave the path that undermines its own security and the security of the region”. The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) subsequently condemned Iran’s “threats” and asserted that “Iran must adhere to the UN Charter and refrain from interfering in the domestic affairs of other nations”.

The U.S. Justice Department announced that acting upon a U.S. District Court seizure order, the U.S. had confiscated the cargo of four vessels, “a multimillion dollar fuel shipment by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)… bound for Venezuela”. “With the assistance of foreign partners, this seized property is now in U.S. custody”, the statement added.  Secretary of State Mike Pompeo indicated that “the proceeds from the Iranian gasoline, if successfully forfeited in U.S. courts, could now support the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund”. He further argued that “we are seeing more and more global shipping fleets avoiding the Iran-Venezuela trade due to our sanctions implementation and enforcement efforts”. Iran’s ambassador to Caracas reacted to the news by saying: “another lie and psychological warfare by the U.S.’s imperialism propaganda machine. The tankers are neither Iranians, nor their owners or flags have anything to do with Iran”. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif maintained that the “stolen booty wasn’t Iran’s… ship and flag weren’t ours either. Hollow, cheap propaganda doesn’t deflect from the miserable failure of U.S. diplomatic malpractice at the UN”. President Rouhani struck a similar note, asserting that “the news turned out to be a lie, and they did it to cover up their humiliation”.

The International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) reported that it had on 12 August “monitored an incident involving Iranian forces who boarded a tanker in the international waters of the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz”. The IMSC further asserted that “Iran’s use of its military forces to conduct an armed boarding of a commercial vessel in international waters constitutes a blatant violation of international law that undermines freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce… this type of reckless, aggressive behaviour by Iran destabilises the region and threatens the rules-based international order”.

At the end of the Great Prophet-14 military exercise in the Strait of Hormuz, the IRCG issued a statement asserting that “in case of any aggression against Iran, the IRGC and other powerful defenders of the country will give a decisive and crushing response according to its defence strategy while protecting the independence, territorial integrity, security, national interests and geographical parts of the country, especially the Persian Gulf Islands”. It also maintained that the drill’s message “to neighbouring and friendly countries was peace and friendship as well as security for the region while the global arrogance [ie, the U.S.] received the message of the Iranian nation and Armed Forces’ preparedness, vigilance and steadfastness in the face of enemies’ plots and threats”.

On the sideline of the Great Prophet-14 military exercise, IRGC Commander Hossein Salami asserted that “we do not initiate aggression on any country, but in tactics and operation, we are completely aggressive”. A senior IRGC official indicated that “anti-ballistic and cruise missiles… have been carried out [during the drill] and some surprising weapons and equipment such as long-range anti-ship ballistic missiles that can target ships from a long distance will be used”.  CENTCOM confirmed that two bases hosting U.S. forces in Qatar and UAE went on alert due to ballistic missile fire from the drill. A U.S. Navy spokesperson argued that “Iran conducts offensive exercises, attempting to intimidate and coerce… While we are always watchful of this type of irresponsible and reckless behaviour by Iran in the vicinity of busy international waterways this exercise has not disrupted coalition operations in the area nor had any impacts to the free flow of commerce in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters”.

CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie remarked that “we always look very carefully at threats to navigation through the Strait of Hormuz… through entities such as the International Maritime Security Construct, we’re able to ensure that commerce passes unimpeded and we’re able to shine a spotlight on malign activities that occur”. He added: “for the past several months it’s been pretty quiet, and we’re glad, and I believe that is actually due in large measure to the International Maritime Security Construct and to the flow of information, intelligence and knowledge that it’s allowed to pass between states that are pushing cargos through the Strait of Hormuz”.

IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri maintained that “the IRGC Navy is present everywhere in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, in every place that the enemy would not even think about… All of our coasts are armed and the underground [missile] cities of the Army and the IRGC with various defense utilities have scattered over the entire southern coasts”.

Saudi Arabia’s Border Guards revealed that on 25 June “three Iranian boats… entered Saudi waters, where they were immediately followed up and repeated warnings issued to them to stop, but they refused to respond”. The Saudi forces subsequently “fired warning shots, forcing the Iranian boats to retreat”. An Iranian official indicated that the ships were fishing boats that had gone off course.
 

IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri announced that the “IRGC Navy has been notified to be present in the Indian Ocean permanently… [the] IRGC is looking to establish a permanent base in the Indian Ocean by the end of the current Iranian year [ie, March 2021]”. He went on to state that “we will provide a better platform for more special presence of fishermen and industrial fishing units in the oceans by providing security and establishing a permanent base in the Indian Ocean… the IRGC’s presence will be a powerful and strong presence”.

IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri remarked that “Iranian Armed Forces enjoy unrivaled power and superiority over enemies in the Persian Gulf, yet we believe that we have the message of peace and friendship to the Muslim Persian Gulf states and we can together establish brotherhood, peace and security in the Persian Gulf”. He further asserted that “the presence of foreigners in the region is meaningless and they should leave the region”.

The Iranian navy announced that it had successfully tested new “short-range and long-range naval cruise missiles” during a military exercise.

CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie maintained that the International Maritime Security Construct “is not part of our maximum pressure campaign against Iran”, and, making the point that the IMSC was not escalatory, argued: “since the IMSC's founding, there have not been any Iranian attacks on maritime shipping in the area and there haven’t even been any serious confrontations with Iranian maritime forces in the area of the Strait of Hormuz… Our presence makes deniable attacks less likely to succeed. So they've chosen not to try”. “The exposure of Iranian activities is a powerful tool and it's a non-kinetic and a de-escalatory tool that we routinely employ”, he added. “A clear result of the IMSC has been a result of the drawdown in tensions”.

Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami emphasised that countries around the Gulf “are responsible for ensuring and maintaining security, and the neighbours’ move to allow the U.S. to enter the region is a strategic mistake”. He further noted “when the Persian Gulf region is safe, all regional countries will benefit from such security, but if the Persian Gulf becomes insecure, it will be insecure for all countries in the region”.

Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami asserted that “with the delivery of [112] domestically-built offensive boats to the IRGC’s naval fleet, the security belt of the Persian Gulf, specially the strategic Strait of Hormuz, will be more tightened than before”. IRGC Commander Hossein Salami also emphasised that “we will not bow to enemies… Defence is our logic in war but not in the sense of passivity against the enemy. Our operations and tactics are offensive and we have shown it in the battlefield”. He went on to declare that “the most important and dangerous part of our power is unknown. Our enemies will see this power the day when they pursue an evil intention against this land… they will get to see the real firepower of our forces at the sea and in the sky, and the battlefield will turn into a hell for the enemies of Iran and Islam”.

Commenting on U.S. military exercises in the Gulf, a senior IRGC official contended that the “holding of such drills cannot lead to their [ie, U.S.] continued presence in the region. The Americans are in a situation under which longer presence in the region would be to their detriment, because the regional countries despise the Americans”. He further argued that “if the Americans leave the region, the regional countries will be able to establish sustainable security through synergism, because security benefits all the regional countries and the Americans avail themselves of instability in the region”.

Referring to a 19 May U.S. Navy warning, according to which “armed vessels approaching within 100m of a U.S. naval vessel may be interpreted as a threat”, the Pentagon underscored that “we have stated very clearly to individuals in the area to be careful and avoid our shops in the area… we’ve seen Iran violate that in an alarming and unprofessional way recently”. A spokesperson explained that “a determination was made that it would be helpful to provide a reminder, additional guidance to mariners in the area, to avoid U.S. warships and to set out a bright-line rule that would be a little bit clearer for them if there was any claims of possible confusion that they should not attempt to harass or approach or confront a U.S. warship sailing in international waters”.

The U.S. Navy advised, with specific reference to the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea, that “due to recent events, in order to enhance safety, minimise ambiguity and reduce opportunities for miscalculations, all vessels are advised to maintain a safe distance of at least 100m from U.S. naval vessels in international waters and straits. Armed vessels approaching within 100m of a U.S. naval vessel may be interpreted as a threat and subject to lawful defensive measures”. An Iranian military official subsequently stated that “the naval units of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman will continue their regular missions in accordance with professional principles as in the past”.

Multiple media reports citing unnamed intelligence officials suggested that Israel was behind a 9 May hack of an Iranian port facility. An Iranian official acknowledged that “some [minor] disruptions at the computer systems last week can be the result of a cyberattack”, though port officials maintained “there has been no disruption in operations” at the facility.

The U.S. issued a sanctions advisory “to provide those engaged or involved in trade in the maritime industry and energy and metals sectors with further information and tools to counter current and emerging trends related to illicit shipping and sanctions evasion”, focusing on three countries including Iran and Syria.

Nineteen Iranian navy personnel were killed and another fifteen injured in an accident during a naval exercise off the country’s southern coast. Their vessel, Konarak, was reportedly struck by a missile fired by an Iranian warship.

A senior Iranian official reported a cyberattack against a port at the Strait of Hormuz. Another official indicated that the incident was still under investigation.

President Rouhani told Japanese Prime Minister Abe that “in the hard times of fighting coronavirus and its severe economic consequences, the U.S.’s illegal sanctions against the Iranian nation have intensified… we are facing many problems even in the field of medical equipment and food supply”. Rouhani further stated that “we are sorry that in recent weeks we have seen tensions created by the U.S. in Iraq and the Persian Gulf region, not to mention that tensions in the region have always begun by the U.S.”

The U.S. Special Representative for Iran, Brian Hook, referring to the 15 April naval interaction between Iranian and U.S. vessels, argued that “the Iranian swift boats that the IRGC operates exceeded the rules of maritime safety in international waters. The Iranian regime would like to desensitise us so that after doing it a number of times, they could then get within sufficient range to actually kill American soldiers. We're not gonna let that happen. We're going to enforce the rules of the road in international waters… As a matter of self defence, and protecting the lives of Americans, President Trump said that if they do it again the boats will be destroyed”. In related comments, Secretary of State Pompeo underscored that U.S. forces “have all the authority they need to do what’s right to defend themselves, no matter who it is that presents that risk to them”.

On the occasion of “Persian Gulf Day”, President Rouhani asserted that “the Americans should know that the name of this gulf is ‘Persian Gulf’ and not the Gulf of New York and Washington, and this nation has been – and is – the guardian of the security of this waterway for thousands of years and they should not conspire against this nation every day”. “Let the enemies know that the Army, the IRGC and all Iranian law enforcement and military forces have been – and will be – the guardians of this waterway”, Rouhani added. In related remarks, the spokesman of the Iranian Armed Forces emphasised that “if [President Trump] is telling the truth about instructing U.S. troops to attack Iranian vessels in the Persian Gulf, they should know that the smallest move or a single violation of Iran’s interests or territorial waters will lead the trespassers to receive a slap in the face”.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei opined that “the Persian Gulf region can be managed by a wise and rational collective policy that benefits all Persian Gulf countries. The factor that threatens such a proper, wise move is the presence of foreign forces in the region”. Asserting that the Iranian nation “should demonstrate its power” in the area, he further noted: “the Persian Gulf belongs to the nations living there. Its security is the duty of these nations, and Iran with its long coastlines has a key role in keeping the security of this region. By God’s grace we will do our part. This is our historical, geographical and regional duty”.

In a statement, Iran’s Armed Forces argued that “dangerous behaviours that are disruptive to the security of shipping transit [in the Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Sea of Oman] began when some adventurous and terrorist countries such as the U.S. and a number of its allies tried to gain a foothold in this region. By increasing harmful traffic and establishing military bases, the U.S. has virtually become the source of insecurity and chaos in the region”. The statement added that Iran’s military “considers the presence of the U.S. and its allies illegitimate and the source of evil and insecurity… The only safe alternative to stabilise peace is the withdrawal of U.S. troops and their allies from the region”. The statement also underscored “Iran has not and will not initiate any tensions and conflicts in the region, but it will always defend its territorial integrity with readiness, strength and power, and it is obvious that any adventure and provocative actions will be responded [to] strongly”.

In a conversation with the Emir of Qatar, President Rouhani noted that “Iran closely monitors and pursues the U.S.’s activities, but will never initiate any conflict or tension in the region”. Speaking with his Chinese counterpart two days later, President Rouhani indicated that “for Iran, the security of the region and waterways is important, but unfortunately, the dangerous behaviour of the U.S. may disrupt the stability of the Persian Gulf region”.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper asserted that “the message needs to be loud and clear to the Iranians that if they threaten our warships, our commanders have the right of self-defence, and we will execute that right... they need to be mindful of how they conduct themselves and they need to conduct themselves professionally”. He further noted that “we are looking at modifications to our practices to make sure that Iranians know that they need to stay clear of our warships and of our personnel and we are not going to tolerate threatening behaviour”. In related remarks, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that “this administration behaves totally different than the previous one… [President Trump] has told the Iranian regime enough, we’re not going to permit this, we’re going to defend our soldiers, our sailors, our airmen and Marines. I think the Iranians understand that as well”.

President Trump declared that he had “instructed the U.S. Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea”. Iranian IRGC Commander Hossein Salami subsequently announced that “we have ordered our naval units to target any vessel or combat unit of the terrorist U.S. forces who want to threaten the security of our non-combat ships or combat vessels”. Iran’s Foreign Ministry also summoned the Swiss ambassador, whose country represents U.S. interests in Iran, and gave him a letter in which “the U.S. administration has been reminded about the importance of observing international maritime safety regulations and shipping freedom”. 

Iran’s IRGC Navy issued a statement indicating that “in recent weeks, we have witnessed the recurrence of unprofessional behaviour of the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf threatening the security and stability of the region and posing new risks… Accordingly, IRGC has increased the capacity of its naval patrols in the waters of the Persian Gulf to prevent the continued illegal, unprofessional, dangerous and even adventurous behaviour of American terrorists, as well as to strengthen the security of domestic vessels and combat fuel smuggling”. The statement also rejected the U.S. account of a 15 April naval interaction between the two sides, asserting that the U.S. vessels had carried out “unprofessional and provocative actions”. It went to warn that “the IRGC navy and the powerful armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will consider the dangerous behaviour of foreigners in the region as a threat to their national security, and give a definite response to any computational error”.

United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that “a vessel had been boarded by armed men while at anchor” in the Gulf of Oman. Media reports indicated that the vessel was SC Taipei, a Hong Kong-flagged tanker. UKMTO subsequently confirmed the ship’s release, and added that the event was “assessed to be an isolated incident of state-based intervention, with no wider threat to maritime shipping in the region”.

Lithuania signed on to the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC), joining seven other countries in the U.S.-led initiative.

CENTCOM commander Kenneth McKenzie announced that “the Secretary [of Defense] granted my request to continue to operate two carrier strike groups in the region, which is the first period of extended dual U.S. carrier operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility since April 2012”.

Discussing Iran’s Hormuz Peace Endeavour (HOPE) proposal, President Rouhani noted that “some regional countries welcomed it well and some others have not yet given an explicit response, but we still believe that it is the regional states that must help establish peace. We stress that all countries must enjoy security and stability in the region”. On Yemen, Rouhani underlined that “the Yemeni issues must be resolved by the Yemenis themselves and the countries that are carrying out acts of aggression toward the country must stop it”. He also asserted that Iran “oppose[s] war”, while adding that “Americans are not looking for war either”.

At the Munich Security Conference, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif underscored that “we have no intention of having trouble with any of our neighbours… We would run to the assistance of Saudi Arabia if anybody attacks Saudi Arabia”. Zarif added: “my message to my brothers: I’m not asking them to stop their relations with the U.S. That’s none of my business... What is our business is that the U.S. will not give you protection. Israel will not give you protection. You need to get protection from within. Security cannot be purchased”. He further accused Saudi Arabia of funding “every Iranian terrorist organisation”. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan indicated that “our message to Iran has been that once they are willing to admit that their regional behaviour is the main source of instability and that activities such as firing ballistic missiles at your neighbouring states is not contributory to security, then we can discuss the potential of talks”.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued a notice indicating that “Iran has de-escalated its military posture in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman as of early February 2020… Given the de-escalation, the FAA assesses there is sufficient reduced risk of Iranian military miscalculation or misidentification that could affect U.S. civil aviation operations”. It further evaluated that “military posturing and political tensions in the region remain elevated, and there remains some inadvertent risk to U.S. civil aviation operations due to the potential for miscalculation or misidentification”.

France commenced naval patrols as part of the European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASOH).

The Coalition Task Force (CTF) Sentinel announced that “the leadership of the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) was transferred from the U.S. to the United Kingdom”. U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper stated that “we’ve described it as a U.S.-led effort, the IMSC, but clearly, we have many partners”. The U.S. Special Representative for Iran, Brian Hook, maintained that “while the IMSC is separate from our maximum pressure campaign, it’s important that the international community ensure the safe – to safeguard global commerce and freedom of navigation throughout the region, which is where so much of the world’s oil supply flows through”.

South Korea announced that “in consideration of the current situation in the Middle East, the government has decided to temporarily expand the Cheonghae [anti-piracy] Unit’s sphere of activity in order to guarantee safety of our people and the freedom of navigation of our vessels”; a defence official indicated that “we’ve made preparations for possible missions in the Hormuz Strait. But Cheonghae’s basic missions – anti-piracy activities and escorting ships – remain unchanged”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson indicated that Seoul had “informed us that it wants to dispatch a part of its fleet in Aden to the region for patrolling missions, but outside the U.S. coalition, and we have told them that the decision is unacceptable”. A Pentagon spokesperson indicated that “we welcome our South Korean allies helping to ensure freedom of navigation in the Middle East by supporting the IMSC”.

Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and Portugal jointly announced that they “politically support the creation of a European-led maritime surveillance mission in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASOH)”. “We welcome any contribution in kind as already declared by Denmark, France, Greece and the Netherlands to this effort and look forward to further commitments in the coming days”, the statement added, further maintaining that “the [UAE-based] EMASOH will constitute a useful instrument in safeguarding the freedom of navigation”. “EMASOH aims to foster de-escalation and to complement vital diplomatic efforts aiming at ensuring increased stability and an inclusive regional dialogue in a critical context”, the eight governments concluded.