UN Says Around 6,000 Seafarers Are Trapped Near The Strait Of Hormuz As Attacks On Ships Mount

Approximately 6000 seafarers remain stranded on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as the U.S. and Iran discuss accusations that the latter has been threatening crew members in the strategic waterway.

UN International Maritime Organisation’s Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said in a recent interview with a news outlet that the situation in the region is critical and does not seem to improve.

He said there is a ‘double blockade’ for ships, and warned shipping companies against sending their ships and seafarers through the Strait of Hormuz.

A latest report showed that 24 ships were attacked in Hormuz in the past two weeks, the biggest since the conflict began in February, after the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on the Islamic Republic.

According to the public registry maintained by IMO, there were 113 ship attacks or attempts as of October 15, with 24 seafarers killed until now.

Iran has changed its tactics in the waterway to exert pressure on vessels, with the U.S. Navy calling the threat to shipping in the region ‘severe’.

Iran’ envoy to IMO, Seyed Ali Mousavi, said that worldwide, VHF Channel 16 is for vessels or crews in distress and in need of assistance; however, that has been used by the American Navy to threaten Iranian ships and crew members. He added that the U.S. was using the channel to instill fear and put ‘psychological pressure’ on civilian crew members.

The U.S Military has directed ships crossing Hormuz and seeking U.S assistance to use Channel 16 or contacting US authorities, according to a few U.S officials.

CENTCOM said in an official release in July that it would aid other vessels while continuing to impose a blockade on Iranian ships.

A few days ago, CENTCOM had said that it communicates with ships trying to cross Hormuz and gives many warnings before targeting them.

This has led to attacks on two ships registered in Singapore on October 13 and 14, 2026. The vessels GFS Pride and GFS Giselle were struck by a projectile, and the former sank, though all 21 of its crew were saved.

The latter suffered hull damage, which is being repaired at an anchorage. All 22 crew members of GFS Giselle were also evacuated. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said that Tehran would open Hormuz within a week if the U.S. took its demands into consideration and made efforts to reach an agreement.