New Electronic Interference Advisories Near Bandar Abbas, Iran, Following Joint Naval Exercises Involving Iran, China, and Russia
The advisories follow the commencement of Security Belt-2025 joint naval drills by Iran, China, and Russia in the Gulf of Oman.
IRAN - The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has now issued two advisories regarding incidents of electronic interference affecting vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The advisories follow the commencement of Security Belt-2025 joint naval drills by Iran, China, and Russia in the Gulf of Oman.
The initial advisory (Incident 006-25) was issued on March 10, 2025, has been followed by an update (Update 001) on March 14, 2025. Both reports confirm GPS interference lasting several hours, disrupting navigation systems and forcing vessels to rely on backup navigation methods.
These incidents occurred near Bandar Abbas, Iran, on March 10 and March 14, 2025. This report analyzes the incidents, their implications for maritime safety, and provides recommendations for vessels operating in the region.
Incident Overview
Initial Advisory (Incident 006-25)
Date of Incident: March 10, 2025
Source of Report: Vessel Master
Issued: March 10, 2025, at 1830 UTC
Details: UKMTO received corroborated reports from vessels experiencing GPS interference in the Strait of Hormuz. The disruptions lasted several hours, impacting navigation systems (including GPS, AIS, and other position, navigation, and timing [PNT] systems). Vessels were forced to rely on backup navigation methods to maintain safe operations.
Location: Near Bandar Abbas, Iran (as indicated on the map in the advisory).
Recommendation: Masters experiencing similar disruptions within the UKMTO Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA) were advised to contact UKMTO watchkeepers via email or phone (+44 02392 222065).
Update 001
Date of Incident: March 14, 2025
Source of Report: Chief Security Officer (CSO)/Master
Issued: March 14, 2025, at 2200 UTC
Details: UKMTO received further corroborated reports of GPS interference in the same region, with disruptions again lasting several hours. The interference affected navigation systems, requiring vessels to switch to backup methods. The advisory reiterated the impact on GPS, AIS, and other PNT systems.
Location: The interference was reported in the same vicinity near Bandar Abbas, Iran, with additional historical incidents marked on the map (March 10 and March 14, 2025).
Recommendation: The advisory repeated the call for Masters to report any disruptions to UKMTO watchkeepers via the same contact methods.