U.S. to Increase International Coordination, Presence in Strait of Hormuz May 12, 2023 — U.S. 5th Fleet is working with regional allies and partners to increase the rotation of ships and aircraft patrolling in and around the Strait of Hormuz following Iran’s recent unlawful merchant vessel seizures. MORE

U.S., Israel Complete Unmanned Naval Exercise in Gulf of Aqaba May 11, 2023 — Forces from U.S. 5th Fleet completed a four-day exercise with Israel in the Gulf of Aqaba, May 11, that focused on unmanned systems and artificial intelligence integration into maritime operations. MORE

U.S. Navy Completes Participation in Oman-led Naval Exercise May 11, 2023 — U.S. naval forces completed participation in a weeklong Oman-led naval exercise in and off the coast of Oman, May 11, with forces from France and the United Kingdom. MORE

U.S. Seizes $80 Million Heroin Shipment in Gulf of Oman May 10, 2023 — A U.S. Coast Guard fast response cutter seized $80 million worth of heroin from a fishing vessel transiting the Gulf of Oman, May 10, during the ship’s second drug bust this week. MORE

U.S. Coast Guard Seizes $30 Million in Drugs with International Task Force May 8, 2023 — A U.S. Coast Guard fast response cutter seized more than $30 million of heroin and methamphetamine from a fishing vessel transiting the Gulf of Oman, May 8. MORE

U.S. Navy Hosts Oman’s Naval Commander at Headquarters in Bahrain May 7, 2023 — U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) welcomed Oman’s top naval commander to the U.S. Navy base in Bahrain, May 7, coinciding with the start of an Oman-led maritime exercise in the Gulf of Oman. MORE

Second Merchant Vessel Seized within a Week by Iran May 3, 2023 — On May 3 at approximately 6:20 a.m. local time, Panama-flagged oil tanker Niovi was seized by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. MORE

U.S. Navy Hosts Qatar’s Top Naval Leader in Bahrain May 2, 2023 — U.S. 5th Fleet hosted Qatar’s top naval leader May 2 at the U.S. Navy base in Bahrain, marking strengthening ties between U.S. and Qatari maritime forces. MORE

Merchant Vessel Seized by Iran in Gulf of Oman April 27, 2023 — On April 27 at approximately 1:15 p.m. 1ocal time, Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker Advantage Sweet was seized by the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy while transiting international waters in the Gulf of Oman. The oil tanker issued a distress call during the seizure. U.S. 5th Fleet is monitoring the situation. MORE

U.S. Navy Ship Patrolling Middle East Seizes $42 Million in Drugs April 21, 2023 — A U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer interdicted a fishing vessel attempting to smuggle $42 million in illegal drugs while transiting the Gulf of Oman, April 21. MORE