6,000 Seafarers Remain Trapped in Hormuz as 24 Ship Attacks Deepen U.S.-Iran Blockade Crisis
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 19
6,000 Seafarers Remain Trapped in Hormuz as 24 Ship Attacks Deepen U.S.-Iran Blockade Crisis
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 19
Summary
Around 6,000 seafarers have remained stranded near the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began, with the IMO urging ships not to transit without security guarantees.
Twenty-four ships were attacked on the waterway in roughly two weeks, part of 100 confirmed regional maritime incidents that have killed 24 seafarers since Feb. 28.
Iran told the IMO on Oct. 9 that U.S. forces misused VHF Channel 16—the international distress frequency—to threaten Iranian crews, though it provided no recordings or transcripts.
CENTCOM said its naval blockade of Iranian ports has been in place for months and is communicated professionally, with multiple warnings given to vessels before enforcement.
IMO chief Arsenio Dominguez said the agency is still in contact with Tehran and may review communications rules, while also warning that false flags and fraudulent ship registries are worsening risks.