The US has warned American-flagged ships to stay away from Iranian waters in the Strait of Hormuz due to rising nuclear tensions.
The Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration advises ships to keep to the far edge of the waterway and avoid Iranian territorial boundaries.
If Iranian forces attempt to board a US-flagged vessel, crews are instructed to decline verbally but not resist physically. Iran has previously seized ships in the Strait, accusing them of smuggling, and has threatened to shut down the waterway.
Meanwhile, nuclear talks between the US and Iran, brokered by Oman, have started on a hopeful note. However, the two countries have differing goals: Washington wants to discuss Iran's ballistic missile program and human rights, while Tehran focuses solely on nuclear issues.
US President Donald Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on countries buying Iranian goods, part of a two-track strategy of diplomacy and economic pressure
