US Central Command (CENTCOM) has extended the reach of its blockade, which has been in force since April 13, beyond vessels simply entering or leaving Iranian ports. The updated order states that all Iranian vessels, ships under active OFAC sanctions, and vessels suspected of carrying contraband are now “subject to belligerent right to visit and search” regardless of their location, in a move similar to how US forces went after Venezuelan tankers around the start of this year. At a Pentagon briefing Thursday, air force general Dan Caine, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, made clear the net is being cast far wider than the Persian Gulf. “Through operations and activities in other areas of responsibility, like the Pacific area of responsibility, under the command of Admiral Paparo, [US forces] will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel – or any vessel – attempting to provide material support to Iran,” Caine told reporters. “This includes dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oil. As most of you know, dark fleet vessels are those illicit or illegal ships evading international regulations, sanctions or insurance requirements.” So far, CENTCOM has said 14 vessels have turned around to comply with the blockade since enforcement began, with Caine noting those ships had made the “wise choice.” No boardings have yet been carried out, though Caine warned any vessels attempting to run the blockade “will be dealt with accordingly.” CENTCOM this week released an audio recording of the warning being broadcast to commercial vessels in the region. The message leaves little ambiguity: “The US has announced a formal blockade of Iranian ports and coastal areas… Do not attempt to breach the blockade. Vessels will be boarded for interdiction and seizure.” It continues: “Turn around and prepare to be boarded. If you do not comply with this blockade, we will use force. The whole of the United States Navy is ready to force compliance.” The escalating crisis is sharpening focus on war risk cover, with London P&I Club senior underwriter Ben McKeith warning that owners are not scrutinising their policies closely enough – and that the geography of risk is shifting dangerously. “The recent developments in the Middle East have once again put a spotlight on why continuously assessing your war risk cover needs is so important for owners and brokers,” McKeith said, noting that war risk cover has historically been treated as an afterthought until renewal time. His warning comes against a backdrop of at least half a dozen war risk claims filed in the past 12 months involving attacks on vessels outside traditional high-risk zones, many linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict – including limpet mine incidents off Turkey, the Mediterranean, North Libya and the west coast of Africa. “Some owners are choosing to have limited war risk cover because they know they’re not trading in traditional high-risk areas,” McKeith noted. “However, the emergence of new risks means that we are urging owners and brokers to take a closer look at their war risk cover and ensure they have adequate cover in place. That is the whole point of marine insurance. It is a check against the unexpected.” With low war risk premiums unlikely to return anytime soon, McKeith urged owners to begin reassessing their exposure now, well ahead of renewal dates. “Shipowners and brokers need to ask themselves today what they actually have in their war risk cover.” googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.dis