Mideast shipping on high alert after US bombs Iranian nuclear sites
The shipping industry was placed on high alert on Sunday with warnings that Tehran could retaliate against commercial vessels following US airstrikes against Iran's nuclear facilities. Oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz(Representative image/Reuters)
Greece, home to more oil-tanker capacity than any other nation, cautioned its ship owners to think again if they're considering entering the Persian Gulf in the wake of US airstrikes. Vessels planning to sail through the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway that sits at the mouth of the region, should 'reassess passage' until the situation normalizes, according to a circular seen by Bloomberg that its shipping ministry sent to vessel owners. It advised waiting in nearby safe ports.
Naval forces in the area warned that ships, especially US-linked ones, could be at heightened risk. Shipping giant A.P. Moller - Maersk A/S said it continues to transit Hormuz but is ready to re-evaluate its position based on the information available.
The actions of the maritime industry — and its risk tolerance — will be a critical detail in the wake of the strikes because of Iran's proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for a fifth of the world's oil and an unavoidable searoute into the Persian Gulf.
Athens' warning is the latest sign of pressure on shipping markets as attacks on Iran escalate. Tanker earnings already soared by almost 90% since Israel first started conducting airstrikes on June 13. As one of the world's largest shipowning nations, advice to Greece's vessel owners would have a major impact on commodity transportation markets, especially oil.
There's every chance shipowners will ignore the advice because the Persian Gulf is too-important a region for them to avoid and rates can always rise to compensate for the risk of sailing in the region. Operators that do decide to transit Hormuz should adopt the highest security level available and maintain the maximum possible distance from Iranian waters, Greece's ministry added.
In Sunday's notice, the Greek ministry cited concern around a possible closure of Hormuz as a reason behind its message.
Officials at three Greek tanker companies said they were still assessing the situation. One did indicate he might still allow his tankers to enter the region, while another said their ships would likely stay away.
Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said in a statement that the government, via the shipping ministry, advised Greek-flagged and Greek-owned ships in the area of the Strait of Hormuz to go to safe port until the situation normalizes.
Bigger Risk
Naval groups are also warning of greater risk.
On Sunday, the Joint Maritime Information Center, a liaison between navies and merchant shipping in the region, said that the Washington's airstrikes mean US-linked ships sailing through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden face a high risk of attack.
Yemen's Houthi rebel group issued fresh threats against American commercial and naval ships earlier in the day. There had been a ceasefire between the US and the Houthis in early May, geared toward limiting the group's attacks on the US navy. US-linked ships should consider re-routing, the JMIC said in its update.
Still, it said some US-associated vessels have successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz, 'which is a positive sign for the immediate future.'
Separately, the European Union's naval force in the region raised its threat assessment for US-linked vessels as a result of the strikes. It now sees a severe threat to ships linked to the US and Israel and a low risk for all other ships.
'This does not exclude the possibility of all merchant vessels being targeted in the future,' it said in an update published by France's MICA Center, which helps co-ordinate global maritime security.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
37 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Putin was asked why is he not helping Iran. His reply
Amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East, Russian President Vladimir Putin has clarified Moscow's role in joining the Iran-Israel conflict, following the US entry with surprise air strikes against Iranian nuclear sites. Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting.(REUTERS file) Putin, a long-time ally of Iran, called out those who questioned Moscow's commitment to its allies, terming them "provocateurs", TASS news agency reported. The Russian President said that Russia has a nuanced relationship with its allies in the Middle East. Also Read: What Russia, China said on US strikes on Iran nuclear sites: 'Dangerous escalation...' "I would like to draw your attention to the fact that almost two million people from the former Soviet Union and the Russian Federation reside in Israel. It is almost a Russian-speaking country today. And, undoubtedly, we always take this into account in Russia's contemporary history," Putin said while speaking at the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Follow LIVE updates on Israel-Iran conflict here He further said that 15 per cent of Russia's population follows Islam and Moscow is an observer in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Russia has maintained a delicate balancing act in the Middle East for decades. Moscow enjoys warm relations with Israel even as it developed strong economic and military ties with Iran. Also Read: 'Made a big mistake': Khamenei vows punishment for Israel, no mention of US attack on Iran Putin has also emphasised that Russia has a trusting relationship with Iran and helped build its first nuclear power plant in Bushehr. Russia condemns US strikes Following US' Sunday strikes on Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan nuclear sites in Iran, Russia condemned the bombings, calling them "irresponsible" and a "gross violation of international law". "It is already clear that a dangerous escalation has begun, fraught with further undermining of regional and global security," the Russian foreign ministry said. Last week, Putin had offered to help mediate an end to the Israel-Iran conflict. He said that Moscow could help negotiate a settlement that could allow Tehran to pursue a peaceful atomic program while assuaging Israeli security concerns. Also Read: Why are Iran and Israel fighting? Rivalry of regional foes explained Meanwhile, Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed punishment for Israel day after the US struck three nuclear facilities in Iran. Taking to X, the official handle of the Iranian leader vowed to intensify attacks against Tel Aviv, but made no mention of the US attacks. "The punishment continues. The Zionist enemy has made a grave mistake, committed a major crime; it must be punished—and it is being punished. It is being punished right now," Khamenei said in the post.
Indian Express
37 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘Bullseye': Donald Trump claims US strikes inflicted ‘monumental damage' to Iran's nuclear facilities
United States President Donald Trump on Sunday (June 22) claimed that the overnight military strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure delivered a severe blow to Tehran. Taking to his Truth Social handle, Trump asserted that Iran's key nuclear sites suffered 'monumental damage', citing the satellite images. He further affirmed that 'obliteration' was the 'accurate term' for the devastation caused by US airstrikes. 'Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term! The white structure shown is deeply imbedded into the rock, with even its roof well below ground level, and completely shielded from flame. The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!' he wrote in a post. Iran says 'no signs of contamination' at nuclear sites Trump's remarks come as Iran downplayed the US attacks, saying that there were no signs of contamination at its key nuclear sites — Isfahan, Fordow and Natanz. Iranian state media also quoted the country's National Nuclear Safety System Centre, which said that its radiation detectors recorded no radioactive release after the strikes. 'There is no danger to the residents living around the aforementioned sites,' the statement said. It further stated that the residents living in the vicinity of the nuclear sites hit by the US were not in danger. Experts suggest that Iran, anticipating a US strike, might have relocated its stockpile of near weapons-grade highly enriched uranium from Fordow, potentially hiding it in undisclosed locations, especially the ones not known to Israel and the US. 'I don't think you can with great confidence do anything but set back their nuclear program by maybe a few years. There's almost certainly facilities that we don't know about,' Jeffrey Lewis of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey told Reuters. The US, on Saturday (June 21), carried out 'Operation Midnight Hammer' against Iran, targeting its three key nuclear sites, Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz. Trump said that the attack's objective was the 'destruction of Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world's number one state sponsor of terror. '
Indian Express
44 minutes ago
- Indian Express
After striking Iran without broad consultation, Trump faces criticism from US Congress
US President Donald Trump's decision to strike Iranian nuclear sites without full congressional consultation has widened existing rifts on Capitol Hill, raising sharp criticism from Democrats and even some Republicans. As per The Associated Press (AP), the Trump administration briefed top Republican leaders—including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune—prior to the operation. In contrast, Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries were only informed after the military strikes had begun. Speaking to CNN, Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee said: 'Bad enough that we weren't informed… But unconstitutional that we didn't have the opportunity to debate and speak… on one of the more consequential foreign policy things that this country has done in a long time.' This uneven communication has deepened partisan tensions. Critics argue that the strikes may have bypassed constitutional requirements by not seeking congressional approval. Senator Mark Warner and others voiced concern, as per CNN, that the action lacked a clear legal basis and was executed without regard for intelligence community input. Senator Tim Kaine is calling for a Senate war powers vote, aiming to reassert Congress's constitutional role in authorising military action. Speaking to CBS, he said: 'Congress should be consulted… We were not.' According to NBC News, Senator Mark Kelly said: 'The president can act when there's a clear and imminent threat… That wasn't the case here.' Some Democrats even called the action grounds for impeachment, while Republican lawmakers like Senator Lindsey Graham defended the strike: 'Congress can declare war or cut off funding. We can't be the commander-in-chief.' Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene voiced opposition to prolonged involvement in the Middle East, as per CNN. Representative Thomas Massie, a longtime non-interventionist, plans to push for a House vote limiting Trump's military authority. Speaking to CBS, he said: 'We were tired of endless wars in the Middle East.' Trump lashed out at Massie on social media, labeling him a 'pathetic LOSER.' Iranian officials have warned of retaliatory attacks following the US strikes, and concerns are growing about the safety of US personnel and regional stability. Iran could disrupt vital commercial shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a global chokepoint for oil transit. US Vice President JD Vance, speaking to NBC, said: 'We're not at war with Iran. We're at war with Iran's nuclear program.' Vance also responded to criticism by the Congress, saying Trump had 'clear authority to act to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.' Congress is now gearing up for a showdown over presidential war powers. Lawmakers are expected to debate—and potentially vote on—measures limiting Trump's ability to launch further military operations without legislative approval. (With inputs from AP, CNN, Reuters, NBC News)
