Greek Gov issues instructions for Greek ships amidst Iran-Israel conflict

Merchant shipping is continuing to pass through the Strait of Hormuz despite Israel’s attacks on Iran on Friday. In a major escalation, Iran has launched a wave of retaliatory strikes in response to Israel’s attacks on its nuclear and military facilities on June 13. Greece has issued repeated instructions for Greek-flagged and Greek-owned ships approaching the area as the long-running conflict between Iran and Israel escalated after Israel’s attack early Friday on Iranian nuclear and military targets.

Guidelines have been issued by the Operations department of the Hellenic Coast Guard to Greek-flagged and Greek-owned ships sailing near the Strait of Hormuz, and data is revised every six to twelve hours. Ships of Greek interests make up twenty percent of the global fleet, which statistically means a large number of them is also at the affected area.

Speaking to the Greek public broadcaster, ERT, the minister of maritime affairs and insular policy, Vasilis Kikilias warned of far-reaching geopolitical consequences.

“Our first concern is the safety of our seafarers, of ocean-going shipping, of our ships under the Greek flag, but also