The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported multiple VHF radio challenges to vessels in the northern Arabian Gulf, potentially linked to an Iranian military exercise.
The challenges included demands for ships to alter their course, particularly near Iranian waters. This activity coincides with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) conducting naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz as part of their “Great Prophet 19” exercise, Reuters reports.
20250124_UKMTO_NOTICE_008_JAN_2025_SECURITY_NOTICEhttps://t.co/yglg8o7cf3#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/xM26W6gdZL
— United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) January 24, 2025
According to Iranian media, the exercises, led by IRGC Navy Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, are intended to convey a message of peace and friendship to neighboring countries. The UKMTO also reported an incident involving a ship 86 nautical miles northeast of Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, where a small military craft flashing a green laser urged the vessel to enter Iranian waters, though the ship continued to its next destination.
20250124_UKMTO_NOTICE_008_JAN_2025_SECURITY_NOTICEhttps://t.co/yglg8o7cf3#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/xM26W6gdZL
— United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) January 24, 2025
Maritime authorities have advised caution for vessels transiting the area.
