Nearly 6,000 seafarers stranded as Hormuz attacks escalate, IMO warns of growing maritime crisis

Nearly 6,000 seafarers remain stranded aboard commercial vessels in the Gulf, unable to safely exit as attacks on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz continue to intensify, the head of the United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO) said on Wednesday.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez strongly condemned the recent assaults on commercial vessels in the strategic waterway, saying innocent seafarers are once again facing severe danger.

According to Dominguez, hundreds of vessels carrying approximately 6,000 crew members have been trapped in the Gulf since the latest West Asia conflict erupted.

"No seafarer should have to put their life at risk simply for carrying out their job," he said.

He called on flag states, shipowners, operators and relevant authorities to refrain from sending ships through the Strait of Hormuz until crew safety and security can be guaranteed.

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Dominguez warned that the latest attacks have worsened fear, uncertainty and psychological stress among stranded seafarers. He urged all parties involved to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions immediately and help ensure the safe departure of vessels still unable to leave the Gulf.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that the ceasefire with Iran was effectively finished, although he did not rule out future negotiations. His remarks followed renewed hostilities triggered by Iranian attacks on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The strategically important shipping lane has remained at the centre of the conflict, which began in late February following large-scale US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Iran has maintained that it has the right to regulate passage through the Strait, insisting vessels follow its designated routes while proposing transit fees and warning it could target ships that fail to comply.

Iranian forces have reportedly struck at least three commercial vessels in recent days. The attacks prompted extensive US strikes against Iranian military targets on Tuesday, followed by retaliatory Iranian attacks targeting Gulf countries.

Speaking at a NATO summit in Turkey, Trump said, "As far as I'm concerned, it's over," when asked whether the ceasefire remained in place.

"It's just a waste of time dealing with them," he added.

"I'll let our wonderful negotiators keep talking if they want, but I don't see it. I don't like these people."

Following Trump's comments, global oil prices surged by around five percent, extending gains that had already pushed prices to their highest level in two weeks.

Fresh Military Strikes

Both Iran and the United States reported carrying out extensive military operations, placing additional pressure on the fragile understanding aimed at ending the conflict.

Iranian state media reported multiple explosions near the Strait of Hormuz, including six blasts on Qeshm Island, seven in Sirik and additional explosions in Bandar Abbas, one of Iran's main ports.

Further explosions were later reported in Bushehr, home to Iran's only civilian nuclear power plant and located near Kharg Island, through which around 90 percent of the country's crude oil exports are shipped.

Iranian media said a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had been killed, while the foreign ministry stated that monitoring and surveillance facilities along the southern coast had been targeted.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that American forces had struck more than 80 Iranian targets, including air defence systems, coastal radar installations and 60 IRGC patrol boats.

According to CENTCOM, the operation was intended to weaken Iran's ability to continue attacks against international shipping using the vital trade corridor.

Iran Responds

Iran quickly retaliated, with the Revolutionary Guards claiming to have attacked dozens of US military installations in Kuwait and Bahrain. Explosions were also reported by an AFP journalist in Bahrain.

Kuwaiti authorities said they intercepted two ballistic missiles and 13 drones, while Iran's military stated it had also targeted the Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain.

"I had gone to bed a bit late, but the air-raid sirens woke me up, leaving me feeling anxious," said Bahraini civil servant Nawal Saad.

She said the renewed conflict brought back memories of previous violence, adding that she did not want to experience "that fear and anxiety again."

Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accused the United States of committing major violations of last month's memorandum of understanding by reinstating sanctions on Iranian oil exports.

On Tuesday, Washington revoked sanctions waivers that had temporarily allowed Iran to produce, sell and export crude oil until August 21.

A US official, speaking anonymously, said Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz were unacceptable and would carry consequences.

The official added that the memorandum remained "entirely performance-based," meaning Iran would only benefit if it demonstrated what Washington described as "good behaviour."

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte also defended the American strikes during the summit in Ankara, describing them as "absolutely necessary."

Continued Threats in the Strait

Iran has continued targeting vessels travelling through the Strait of Hormuz, accusing ships of ignoring its approved navigation routes.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported that an unidentified projectile struck a tanker on Tuesday, causing a fire. Two additional vessels were later attacked, with at least one reportedly hit by a drone.

The incidents occurred near Oman, which had proposed a temporary shipping corridor along its coastline. Iran has opposed the proposal as it continues pushing for transit fees on vessels using the narrow waterway.

Although shipping traffic had begun recovering after Washington and Tehran reached an agreement last month, Iran has insisted that previous free-passage arrangements through the Strait will not be restored.

Security analyst Andreas Krieg of King's College London said alternative transit arrangements remain under discussion.

"We are now in a sensitive period where potential alternatives to an Iranian toll or fee system are being explored," Krieg said.

"Iran is sending a clear signal that no alternative will be accepted."

With inputs from agencies