On July 12, 2026, Qatar’s Transport Ministry issued a warning advising all maritime vessel owners and users to halt sailing and maritime activities due to escalating tensions between the US and Iran. This advisory, communicated through the social media platform X, encompasses various types of vessels, including leisure boats, fishing boats, and jet skis. The ministry emphasized that this suspension is effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice.
The ministry clarified that vessels operating in compliance with international maritime conventions and existing regulations are exempt from this precautionary measure. This decision was made in collaboration with relevant security authorities, urging the public to comply with the update for safety reasons.
The advisory follows a significant increase in military confrontations between the US and Iran. Earlier that day, Tehran announced it had targeted US military installations in neighboring countries as retaliation for prior US strikes against Iranian sites. This escalation was preceded by the US Central Command’s announcement of airstrikes on approximately 140 targets in Iran, which occurred after an Iranian attack on a commercial vessel in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
