[The U.S. Military Continues to Recommend Commercial Ships Use the Southern Passage of the Strait of Hormuz] Odaily Planet Daily News: Despite repeated requests from Iran for vessels to use the northern passage closer to the Iranian coast, the U.S. Navy continues to recommend commercial ships utilize the southern passage of the Strait of Hormuz. The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), based in Bahrain, issued a notice stating that the security threat level in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters remains severe. However, it emphasized that the southern passage of the strait has been expanded and remains open to all vessels. The notice advises ships to coordinate with the Combined Maritime Forces when passing through the Strait of Hormuz, but also clarifies that this is not mandatory, and vessels may transit the southern passage without coordination. Reportedly, since July 7, no large vessels with active positioning systems have been observed using the southern passage near the Omani coast. As of July 10, no commercial ships have publicly expressed an intention to transit the southern passage of the Strait of Hormuz. (CCTV News)