New delhi: Indian maritime authorities have instructed ship owners and recruitment agencies to avoid sending Indian seafarers to work on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a precautionary measure taken amid renewed military escalation between the United States and Iran.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Indian Directorate General of Maritime Affairs (DGMA) explained in a statement on Thursday that the directive aims to protect the safety of Indian seafarers working in international shipping, given the increasing risks to commercial vessels in one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints.

The DGMA added that the decision will remain in effect until further notice, urging ship captains to increase their vigilance and follow navigational and security warnings.

India is the world's third-largest exporter of seafarers, with government data indicating that more than 300,000 seafarers work in global shipping fleets.

Two Indian seafarers have been killed in attacks on ships in the past three days, as tensions in the Middle East have escalated.