Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Thousands of Sailors Trapped Amidst Escalating Ship Attacks, UN Warns

Thousands of sailors remain stranded near the Strait of Hormuz as attacks on commercial ships escalate, the United Nations' top maritime official warned. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), stated that the situation for international shipping is "severe and critical," with approximately 6,000 seafarers trapped and 24 ships attacked in the waterway over the past two weeks.

Dominguez urged vessels to avoid the Strait of Hormuz and refrain from putting seafarers at risk "until we have guarantees." His warning follows an accusation from Iran, detailed in an Oct. 9 letter to the IMO, that the U.S. military has repeatedly used VHF Channel 16, an international distress and safety radio channel, to issue threats and intimidate Iranian crews in the Persian Gulf. Tehran alleged that American forces used the channel for "prolonged periods" and, in some instances, urged Iranian seafarers to abandon their vessels.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) defended its operations, stating that the naval blockade of Iranian ports has been in place for months and is "professionally communicated to all international mariners." CENTCOM asserted that vessels refusing to comply with blockade enforcement receive multiple warnings, and American forces "remain highly vigilant, focused, and professional while fully enforcing the naval blockade against Iran."

While Iran's letter to the IMO cited commercial vessels, shipping companies, and maritime operators, it did not provide specific evidence such as recordings or transcripts of the alleged exchanges. Fox News Digital could not independently verify these accusations.

Dominguez highlighted that seafarers are not trained for combat and are often innocent victims in global conflicts. He noted that the misuse of distress channels like VHF Channel 16 for threatening communications is a growing concern in various regions. The IMO may review its regulations and procedures to determine if stronger safeguards are necessary to prevent such communication issues, although no formal investigation has been announced.

As of Oct. 9, the IMO had recorded 100 confirmed maritime incidents in the region, resulting in 24 seafarer fatalities since Feb. 28. Dominguez also pointed to an increase in fraudulent ship registrations and the use of false flags by "irresponsible shipowners" as contributing factors to the escalation of danger, as these vessels act as shuttle tankers to move goods.

Despite the ongoing confrontation and accusations, Dominguez confirmed that diplomatic channels with Iran remain open through member state communications, though he does not have direct contact with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He stated that while information flows, obtaining final decisions can be challenging due to the ongoing conflict.