US Warns Over Attacks On Commercial Ships In Gulf,As UK Navy To Escort Vessels On Strait Hormuz

The United States Maritime Administration website has renewed its warning about threats to U.S. commercial vessels from Iran and its proxies in the Gulf and surrounding area.

The notification, valid from Monday to Jan 13., is not substantially different from an initial warning issued on Friday.

“There remains the possibility of Iranian action against U.S. maritime interests in the region,” both notices said.

Meanwhile Britain’s navy will accompany UK-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz to provide protection after the U.S. killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani inflamed tensions in the region Britain’s defence minister, Ben Wallace, ordered the HMS Montrose and HMS Defender to prepare to return to escort duties in the major oil shipping route as Prime Minister Boris Johnson came in for criticism for his silence over the killing.

Media reports have said Johnson is on holiday in the Caribbean .

“The government will take all necessary steps to protect our ships and citizens at this time,” Wallace said in a statement.

Britain was forced to defend its ships through the world’s most important shipping route last year after Iranian commandos seized a British-flagged tanker in the Strait.

British forces had previously captured an Iranian oil tanker near Gibraltar that was accused of violating sanctions on Syria. The killing of Soleimani has raised fears that tankers could be targeted again. In Gulf,As UK Navy To Escort Vessels On Strait Hormuz

The United States Maritime Administration website has renewed its warning about threats to U.S. commercial vessels from Iran and its proxies in the Gulf and surrounding area.

The notification, valid from Monday to Jan 13., is not substantially different from an initial warning issued on Friday.

“There remains the possibility of Iranian action against U.S. maritime interests in the region,” both notices said.

Meanwhile Britain’s navy will accompany UK-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz to provide protection after the U.S. killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani inflamed tensions in the region Britain’s defence minister, Ben Wallace, ordered the HMS Montrose and HMS Defender to prepare to return to escort duties in the major oil shipping route as Prime Minister Boris Johnson came in for criticism for his silence over the killing.

Media reports have said Johnson is on holiday in the Caribbean .

“The government will take all necessary steps to protect our ships and citizens at this time,” Wallace said in a statement.

Britain was forced to defend its ships through the world’s most important shipping route last year after Iranian commandos seized a British-flagged tanker in the Strait.

British forces had previously captured an Iranian oil tanker near Gibraltar that was accused of violating sanctions on Syria. The killing of Soleimani has raised fears that tankers could be targeted again.