Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has warned tanker crews near ports and anchorages in Kuwait and Bahrain to leave their vessels immediately, saying the ships could be targeted.
The warning comes as tensions between Iran and the United States continue to escalate across the Gulf following U.S. strikes on several Iranian oil tankers.
IRGC Warns Tanker Crews to Leave Ships
According to Iranian state media, the IRGC Navy issued the warning on September 8, telling crews aboard oil tankers in the vicinity of Kuwaiti and Bahraini ports to abandon their vessels.
The warning reportedly applies to tankers both at anchor and alongside berths.
Iran accused Kuwait and Bahrain of hosting U.S. military forces and supporting American operations against Iran. The IRGC said tankers in the area could become targets as the conflict continues.
The warning represents a serious escalation for commercial shipping because it specifically includes vessels that are stationary in port or at anchor.
U.S. Strikes Destroy Five Iranian Oil Tankers
The Iranian warning followed U.S. military strikes against five Iranian oil tankers on September 8.
According to the U.S. military, the vessels were Kivik, Charminar, Horizon 1, Riesco and Derya. U.S. Central Command said crews were warned to abandon the ships before the strikes.
The strikes came after Iranian forces attempted to attack a U.S. Navy warship with ballistic missiles. The U.S. said the warship avoided the attacks without casualties.
Iran subsequently threatened further retaliation against U.S. military positions and warned tanker crews in Kuwait and Bahrain.
Growing Risk for Commercial Shipping
The latest warning raises new concerns for merchant ships operating in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters.
The situation is particularly concerning for tanker crews because the latest threats are not limited to ships underway. Vessels at anchor or alongside a berth could also face risks.
The Institute for the Study of War reported that Iran appears to be increasingly focusing on stationary commercial vessels as part of its response to U.S. attacks on Iranian tankers. It reported that several commercial vessels were attacked or potentially targeted in the region during the latest escalation.
A separate maritime report from SeaTrade Maritime also confirmed that the IRGC Navy’s warning specifically threatened tanker crews in Bahraini and Kuwaiti ports following the U.S. strikes.
What This Means for Seafarers
For seafarers, the latest development highlights the increasing risks of working in a conflict-affected maritime region.
Tankers operating around Kuwait, Bahrain and the Strait of Hormuz may face additional security concerns, including military activity, attacks on commercial vessels and restrictions on navigation.
The situation could also create difficult decisions for shipping companies and crews regarding whether vessels should remain in port, move to safer areas or temporarily suspend operations.
As tensions between Iran and the United States continue, the security situation in the Gulf remains highly uncertain.
For tanker crews, the latest IRGC warning is another reminder that commercial ships can become exposed to military conflicts even when they are not directly involved in the fighting.
