Middle East shipping routes on alert amid rising US-Iran-Israel tensions

A rare and urgent joint advisory issued by United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa, and Joint Maritime Information Centre has set alarm bells ringing for ship operators passing through the Middle East. The advisory warns of an increased threat level in the Arabian/Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman, citing “increased tensions within the region which could lead to an escalation of military activity having a direct impact on mariners.”

At the heart of the warning is the deepening crisis between the US and Iran, with a sixth round of diplomatic talks over Tehran’s nuclear program reportedly scheduled for this week. However, the tone between both governments has grown increasingly hostile.

US president Donald Trump reaffirmed his stance that military action remains on the table if a satisfactory agreement on Iran’s nuclear ambitions is not reached. In response, Iranian minister of defence Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that any US military provocation would result in retaliatory strikes on US bases across the Middle East.

Israel, maintaining a hardline position throughout the negotiations, has continued to threaten unilateral military action against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. According to regional analysts, domestic pressure on Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is mounting—raising the likelihood of a preemptive airstrike. There is growing concern that such action may occur with the cooperation or logistical support of the US, triggering regional escalation.

Significant movements on the diplomatic and defence fronts add further urgency to the joint advisory.

The US Embassy in Iraq is reportedly preparing for a planned evacuation due to rising security threats, while the US State Department has ordered the withdrawal of nonessential personnel and their families from diplomatic posts in Bahrain and Kuwait, and US military dependents in Bahrain have been cleared for temporary departure, indicating the seriousness of the perceived threat.