Around 6,000 seafarers remain stranded near the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating attacks on commercial vessels and restrictions on navigation, with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) warning that the situation poses a critical threat to maritime safety.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has urged shipowners to avoid the strategic waterway until adequate security is assured, warning that commercial crews continue to suffer the consequences of a conflict in which they have no part.
“There is a double blockade and too many vessels have been attacked, particularly in recent days,” Dominguez told Fox News Digital, adding that seafarers have continued to lose their lives during the conflict.
The warning follows reports of attacks on 24 ships in the region over a period of approximately two weeks. According to figures cited by Fox News Digital, the IMO had recorded around 100 confirmed maritime incidents across the region as of October 9, with 24 seafarers killed since the conflict began on February 28.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the wider Indian Ocean, making it a critical chokepoint for international shipping and global energy supplies. The escalating security situation has raised serious concerns about the safety of civilian vessels and their crews operating in waters affected by military hostilities.
“Seafarers are not trained for combat, and they are not guilty of any conflicts that are happening around the world,” Dominguez said, emphasizing that commercial sailors should not be exposed to the risks associated with military confrontations. He stressed that shipowners should avoid placing crews in danger until safe navigation can be assured.
Maritime security concerns have also intensified following allegations by Iran that US military vessels operating in the Persian Gulf repeatedly used VHF Channel 16, the internationally designated channel for maritime distress, safety and calling communications, to issue threatening messages to Iranian sailors.
In a letter sent to the IMO on October 9, Tehran alleged that some communications were delivered in Persian and that certain crews had been urged to abandon their vessels. Iran described the alleged transmissions as an attempt to use an emergency communications channel for intimidation and psychological pressure against civilian personnel. The allegations have not been independently verified, and the letter reportedly did not include recordings or detailed transcripts of the exchanges.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) rejected the suggestion that its enforcement operations had been conducted improperly, stating that communications concerning the naval blockade of Iranian ports were handled professionally. It added that vessels refusing to comply with instructions were repeatedly warned and given directions.
Dominguez said the IMO could consider whether additional technical measures or operational guidance were required to prevent the misuse of maritime communication channels. However, he did not announce a formal investigation into Iran’s allegations, indicating that the matter could be addressed through the organization’s existing regulatory framework and discussions among member states.
The IMO chief also expressed concern over reports of fraudulent ship registrations and vessels operating under false flags, warning that such practices could make it more difficult to establish vessel identities, verify registrations and determine accountability in an increasingly volatile maritime environment.
Although diplomatic channels with Iran remain open, Dominguez noted that communication alone would not be sufficient to resolve the wider dispute.
With thousands of seafarers unable to leave the region safely and commercial vessels facing continuing security threats, the IMO’s warning underscores the urgent need to protect civilian crews, maintain internationally accepted maritime communication procedures and restore safe passage through one of the world’s most important shipping routes.