IMO urges ships to avoid Strait of Hormuz
Thousands of civilian sailors remain stranded near the Strait of Hormuz as attacks on commercial shipping escalate, the International Maritime Organization warned, while maritime safety officials manage a severe regional blockade. International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated that roughly 6,000 seafarers have stayed trapped near the waterway since the beginning of the conflict, urging commercial vessels to avoid transiting the region until safety guarantees are established.
Attacks Surge as Vessels Face Record Weekly Assaults
Maritime security in the waterway has deteriorated sharply following months of confrontation. A total of 12 attacks on vessels were recorded in the strait and nearby waters between October 5 and 11, marking the highest weekly figure since the conflict began. On October 11 alone, six vessels came under attack. According to reports, 24 ships had been targeted across a roughly two-week period, contributing to 100 confirmed maritime incidents recorded across the region by October 9.
The International Maritime Organization confirmed that at least 24 seafarers have died since the conflict began on February 28. Dominguez warned that prolonged disruption to shipping threatens wider consequences for the global economy, energy sources, and food security. Alongside active attacks, the organization pointed to fraudulent ship registrations and false flags as major contributors to the ongoing danger, noting that irresponsible shipowners are utilizing false flags on shuttle tankers to move goods in and out of the zone.
Iran Alleges U.S. Military Misuse of Emergency Channel
Iran submitted a formal letter to the International Maritime Organization on October 9, alleging that the United States military used VHF Channel 16—an internationally designated maritime distress and safety channel—to intimidate Iranian crews in the Persian Gulf. In the complaint circulated to member states, Tehran asserted that the safety channel was turned into an instrument of psychological pressure and military intimidation, with civilian crews allegedly addressed in Persian with threatening and provocative language.
International Maritime Organization Involvement and Next Steps
While the International Maritime Organization has not announced a formal investigation, Dominguez stated that the agency could review its regulations and procedures to determine whether stronger safeguards are needed for emergency communication channels. Meanwhile, Sky News Arabia reported that the organization is participating in ongoing negotiations aimed at resuming maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and establishing arrangements to reduce risks to commercial vessels.
Regarding sea mines in the waterway, the organization confirmed to Sky News Arabia that it has not yet carried out any mine removal operations, and indicated that mine-clearing will resume as soon as the conflict ends.