UKMTO declares Strait of Hormuz security 'Critical'

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has declared the maritime security situation in the Strait of Hormuz as 'Critical', the highest level on its established risk assessment scale. This alert from the British military cites heavy naval activity and warns of a high risk of attack or miscalculation in the Persian Gulf region. The escalation follows Iran's tightening of transit rules and the ongoing enforcement of a U.S. naval blockade of Iran.