US Central Command Warns Civilians to Avoid Ports in Use by Iran’s Military

The notice extends to dockworkers, administrators, commercial vessel crews, and others, CENTCOM said, as Iranian forces take positions in commercial ports.

A person points at a page on the Marinetraffic website that shows commercial boat traffic on the Strait of Hormuz near the Iranian coast, in Paris on March 4, 2026. Julien de Rosa/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. military command operating in the Middle East warned citizens to “immediately” avoid any ports that may be used by the Iranian military and said that Iran is using civilian ports along the Strait of Hormuz to launch operations.

“This dangerous action risks the lives of innocent people,” said Central Command (CENTCOM) in a statement Wednesday, referring to the Iranian military’s use of the ports. “Civilian ports used for military purposes lose protected status and become legitimate military targets under international law.”