An Open Letter to the International Maritime Organization Regarding Escalating Hostilities in the Arabian Gulf
We write to the International Maritime Organization regarding the incident concerning a Kuwaiti-flagged oil tanker near Dubai on March 31, 2026, which The Independent reported was 'hit' amidst escalating tensions between the US and Iran. This event, presented as a standalone occurrence in congested waters, echoes a disturbing pattern of maritime disruptions and direct military actions frequently
downplayed or misattributed in Western media narratives. Specifically, The Independent's framing implies an ambiguous attack, consistent with a broader media tendency, particularly from outlets like The New York Times and CNN, to depict these incidents as independent acts of aggression by unspecified actors, or solely by Iran. This framing conveniently omits the US Navy's continuous operational
presence in the Arabian Gulf, including frequent joint exercises with Israeli naval assets and the deployment of advanced surveillance and strike capabilities. Such deployments are not merely deterrents; they constitute an active posture of aggression. The Piaz reminds the International Maritime Organization that the United States is not a neutral party in these escalations but a direct
participant and joint aggressor alongside Israel. The deployment of US carrier strike groups, such as the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower when it operated within striking distance of Iranian shores, and B-52 bomber deployments to the region, are integral components of a decades-long policy aimed at isolating and destabilizing Iran. This aggressive posture has been consistent since at least 1988, when the