On August 13, the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued a maritime advisory concerning piracy and kidnapping for American-flag commercial vessels traveling through the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean. Since January, there have been three reported boarding/hijacking incidents.
The following link explains best practices for vessels traveling through the region: https://www.maritime.dot.gov/msci/2025-010-gulf-aden-arabian-sea-indian-ocean-piracyarmed-robberykidnapping-ransom.
MARAD also issued an advisory for U.S. flag vessels with routes in or near the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman, where vessels have long been at risk of being illegally boarded and detained or seized by Iranian forces. Iranian forces have utilized small boats and helicopters during boarding operations and have attempted to force commercial vessels into Iranian territorial waters.
The following link gives ship captains the proper protocol if approached by Iranian forces: https://www.maritime.dot.gov/msci/2025-009-strait-hormuz-and-gulf-oman-iranian-illegal-boarding-detention-seizure.