ATHENS – Greece’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy issued an urgent advisory on Saturday, February 28, 2026, urging all Greek-flagged vessels to exercise maximum vigilance and avoid critical shipping routes in the Middle East following large-scale joint strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran.
The advisory, seen by Reuters and other outlets, highlights heightened risks to navigation safety in the wider Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman, and the North Arabian Sea.
“The developing situation affects the safety of navigation in the wider Persian Gulf, the Straits of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman and the North Arabian Sea,” the document states. It directs vessel management companies to implement the highest level of security protocols in these areas, as well as at Israeli ports, until further notice.
The warning comes in the wake of Operation Epic Fury (U.S.) and Roaring Lion (Israel), which targeted Iranian military infrastructure, ballistic missile sites, nuclear-related facilities, and leadership compounds. Reports indicate the strikes resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and numerous high-ranking officials, prompting immediate Iranian retaliatory missile and drone launches toward Israel and U.S. bases in neighboring Gulf states, including Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait.
Greece’s advisory specifically cautions ships against potential threats including missile or drone attacks, strikes on port infrastructure, harassment by hostile forces, electronic jamming, GPS spoofing, and disruptions to onboard navigation systems. It also expresses concern that tensions could spill over into connected areas such as the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, linked to Iran-backed groups like the Houthis.
The advisory aligns with similar alerts from the U.S. Navy, which declared a broad “maritime warning zone” across the region, stating it cannot guarantee merchant vessel safety and urging avoidance where possible amid expectations of electronic interference.
Broader industry impacts include suspensions of crude oil, fuel, and liquefied natural gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz by major tanker owners, oil companies, and traders, following unverified Iranian broadcasts claiming the strait is closed or unsafe for transit. Reports indicate vessel congestion at Hormuz entrances, with some ships halting, turning back, or anchoring while awaiting developments.
Greece, as one of the world’s largest shipping nations, maintains close monitoring of its fleet in the region. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has activated citizen protection measures and evacuation readiness protocols in response to the crisis, with ongoing coordination among allies.
The situation remains highly fluid, with continued strikes reported and risks of further escalation affecting global energy routes, where approximately 20% of world oil transits through the Strait of Hormuz.