US military warns civilians to avoid ports used by Iran along Strait of Hormuz

The U.S. military is warning civilians to avoid ports it says are used by the Iranian regime along the Strait of Hormuz to “conduct military operations that threaten international shipping.” 

“CENTCOM urges civilians in Iran to immediately avoid all port facilities where Iranian naval forces are operating. Iranian dockworkers, administrative personnel and commercial vessel crews should avoid Iranian naval vessels and military equipment,” U.S. Central Command (Centcom) said Wednesday. 

Centcom warned that civilian ports used for military purposes “lose protected status” and become legitimate military targets under international law.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said unknown projectiles struck three ships in the Strait of Hormuz early Wednesday, with one of them sparking a fire on board a vessel and forcing the crew to evacuate. 

The strikes on boats happened as the Strait of Hormuz remained closed, as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran continues, choking off about 20 percent of global oil and gas supply and leading to spiking energy prices around the world.

On Tuesday, President Trump threatened to escalate attacks against Iran if it put mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Later that day, the U.S. military said it destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying boats. 

“Although the U.S. military also cannot guarantee civilian safety in or near facilities used by the Iranian regime for military purposes, American forces will continue taking every feasible precaution to minimize harm to civilians,” Centcom said Wednesday. 

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