The Israel-Hamas conflict has prompted fears of a larger regional battle that might include Iran, after the country issued a warning to Israel, to stop the ongoing attacks.
According to Reuters, analysts and market watchers believe the clash may drive the US to increase sanctions against Iran, perhaps leading to Tehran retaliating against ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s busiest oil-shipping waterway, may disrupt the region’s oil commerce, driving up oil prices.
The Marshall Islands registry has warned that boats having ties to Israel or the US may face an increased danger of assault inside Israeli territorial waters, the Mideast Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman, and the Red Sea. In particular, the registration has issued the following advice:
- The security level for Israeli ports and territorial waters has been raised to Security Level III (or equivalent security measures) by the Administrator.
- The threat of collateral damage to merchant vessels has increased significantly.
- Vessels with links to Israel or the United States may be under heightened threat of attack within Israeli territorial waters, the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, and Red Sea areas.
- Vessels transiting the Red Sea, Northern Indian Ocean, Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman should follow the advice in Ship Security Advisory 3-23.
Additionally, according to the Strait Times, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is monitoring the security situation in the Middle East amid global concerns that the conflict could trigger broader regional tensions.
Furthermore, apart from the Strait of Hormuz, concerns also rise about further escalation and its impact in the Suez Canal in Egypt, as the Strait Times report.
