Commercial ships stay clear of Iran ports as tensions with US grow

Israel launched air strikes in June 2025 on targets in Bandar Abbas. This is where at least 70 people were killed in unexplained blasts in April and authorities did not rule out sabotage.

As Iran's leadership tries to put down the worst unrest the Islamic Republic has faced, Tehran is seeking to deter US President Donald Trump's repeated threats to intervene. These threats were made on behalf of anti-government protesters.

The level of interference with GNSS navigation systems, which included GPS, had increased to "substantial" in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz area over the past week. This was reported by the US Navy's Combined Maritime Force in a note on Monday.

"This is highly likely due to force protection measures being taken in relation to the ongoing political tensions in the region. Vessels transiting this area could be impacted," the note said.

(Reporting by Jonathan Saul; Editing by Alexander Smith)