United States flagged ships have been advised to avoid Iranian waters in the Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran. The advisory was issued Monday by the U.S. Maritime Administration, part of the Department of Transportation, urging ship captains to stay “as far as possible” from Iranian waters and decline permission for Iranian forces to board U.S. vessels. The notice comes after boarding attempts, including efforts to force commercial vessels into Iranian waters using small boats and helicopters, were reported as recently as February 3. It was the first engagement between the two countries since U.S. bombers struck three Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day conflict last June. Israel has urged the U.S. to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, limit its ballistic missile program, and end support for regional militant groups.

Source: Nigerian Tribune February 10, 2026 15:17 UTC