Marine Security Bulletin - 07/2026 (Rev. 3) - U.S Naval Blockade of all Iranian Ports and Coastal Areas
14 July 2026
Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Arabian Sea 07/2026 (Rev. 3)
14 July 2026
Marine Security Bulletin - 07/2026/Rev.3 Dear Shipowners, Operators and Masters
Subject: U.S Naval Blocade of all Iranian Ports and Coastal Areas
Reference: (a) JMIC Advisory: 015-26 – Blockade of Iranian Ports The following changes have been included:
1. Added that US Blockade of all Iranian ports is to be reinstated.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) will begin reinstating the naval blockade of all Iranian ports and Iranian coastal areas effective 2000 UTC on 14 July 2026, which is expected to continue until further notice.
This blockade will be enforced in the Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea and the Strait of Hormuz. The blockade encompasses the entirety of the Iranian coastline to include but not limited to ports and oil terminals. The blockade applies to all vessel traffic, regardless of flag. Any vessel suspected of entering or departing the blockaded area without authorization is subject to interception, diversion, and capture. Non-compliant vessels may be legally compelled with force.
The blockade will not impede neutral transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz to or from nonIranian destinations. Neutral vessels may still be subject to the right of visit and search to determine the presence of contraband cargo or to ensure that they are not intending to breach the blockade. Humanitarian shipments including food, medical supplies, and other goods essential for survival of the civilian populations will be permitted, subject to inspection.
The required information that ships, shippers, and operating companies must submit in order to request permission to cross the blockade area is listed below:
- Ship Name (include previous ship name, if applicable)
- Ship Contact Information (email, Captain phone, FBB, any other contact means)
- IMO Number
- Vessel Type
- Flag
- Ship location at time of request
- Group Owner
- Operator Name, Contact Information and Business Address
- Last Port of Call
- Load Port(s) where humanitarian cargo was loaded
- Discharge Port location (Iranian Port)
- Discharge Port planned arrival date
- Cargo Description
- Bill of Lading (all pages)
Email above information to NAVCENT NCAGS:
M-BA-NAVCENT-NCAGS@us.navy.mil
The review and approval of requests will consider ship location and planned arrival date at discharge port at the discretion of the US Navy. Vessels approved to transit through the blockade remain subject to boarding and inspection.
An approval to pass through the blockade (either east or westbound), does not permit onload of ANY cargo outside of stores and fuel for a return voyage from an Iranian port. If violated, the ship will be subject to blockade enforcement action. All ships are subject to monitoring to ensure compliance with the blockade.
Recommendations
Mariners are strongly advised to refer to the Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC) advisories: https://www.ukmto.org/partner-products/jmic-products for authoritative detail, including geographic limits, conditions of transit, and inspection and authorization requirements, including additional guidance to the threats, mitigations and considerations to transiting this area. Vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz approaches, Gulf of Oman, and adjacent waters are advised to maintain heightened awareness, ensure maximum bridge readiness, and exercise appropriate caution with bridge-to-bridge VHF communications.
All owners, operators, and crews should remain cognizant of the elevated threat in the affected area and perform detailed, vessel-specific, voyage- specific and activity specific risk assessments for any operations or transit through the affected area.
All vessels should report to the UKMTO and register with the Maritime Security Centre for the Indian Ocean (MSCIO) in accordance with industry BMP (Best Management Practices) and take advice from the coalition forces operating in the area. Best Management Practices for Maritime Security (BMPMS) will continue to provide the necessary guidance for shipping to ensure threat and risk assessments are developed for every voyage to mitigate the risks presented by remaining security threats in the region. The shipping industry will continue to monitor and advise on maritime security threats to assist the safe transit of vessels and the seafarers.
UKMTO acts as the primary point of contact for merchant vessels and liaison with military forces in the region. Vessels are encouraged to register with UKMTO and report their positions (By email daily at 08.00 UTC) whilst operating in the area.
The MSCIO is the planning and coordination centre for the EU Naval Forces (EU NAVFOR). MSCIO encourages companies to register their ships’ movements before entering the Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA).
All vessels transiting the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman and North Araiian Sea are also encouraged to report to the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFCIOR), this is a voluntary reporting measure that promotes cooperation, stability and communication with partner stakeholders in the region as well as aligns with the most recent measures published in BMP MS. Vessels with voyages through this area can use the Vessel’s Reporting Form at IFCIOR’s website. .
Contact Information
In an emergency, vessels transiting the Arabian Sea, Straits of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman should contact NAVCENT Battle Watch Phone: +1-813-529-7430, Email: cusnc.bwc.mil@us.navy.mil; Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) Primary Watch Floor Phone: +1-813-5297108, Alternate Mobile Phone: +973- 3986-4800, Email: m-ba-navcent-ncags@us.navy.mil or mba-navcent-ncags-ice@us.navy.mil
Contact MSCIO prior to transiting the Western Indian Ocean, the Somali Basin, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman and the Red Sea.
The contact details of MSCIO are:
Maritime Security Centre – Indian Ocean (MSCIO) Email postmaster@mscio.eu
Telephone +33 (0) 298 220 220 +33 (0) 298 220 170
Fax +44 1923 958520 Website www.ukmto.org
When transiting the Western Indian Ocean, the Somali Basin, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman and Red
Sea. Register their vessels with UKMTO
Email: watchkeepers@ukmto.org and ukmto@eim.ae
Phone: +44 - 2392-222060, +971-50-552-3215 Fax +44 1923 958520
Please keep LISCR’s Security Department informed of any security incidents at: Office of the Senior Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs
Republic of Liberia
22980 Indian Creek Drive, Suite 200 Dulles, Virginia 20166 USA
D: +1 571 495 5944 / O: +1 703 790 3434 / F: +1 703 790 5655
Email: Security@liscr.com www.liscr.com
