Hormuz Crisis Traps 6000 Sailors as Tanker Strikes Mine

Commercial shipping faces mounting danger near the Strait of Hormuz, where approximately 6000 seafarers remain trapped amid an ongoing conflict, while Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy has reported that a tanker struck a mine while attempting to use an unauthorized southern route. International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez warned on October 18 that repeated attacks threaten civilian crews and urged vessels to avoid the waterway until adequate safety guarantees are available.

The International Maritime Organization had recorded 100 confirmed maritime incidents across the region as of October 9, with 24 seafarers killed since the conflict began on February 28, according to Dominguez. The Financial Times also reported that 24 ships had been attacked over approximately two weeks, highlighting the deteriorating security environment.

Dominguez described the conditions facing international shipping as increasingly dangerous and emphasized that commercial crews should not be exposed to military confrontation.

"The situation continues to be severe and critical when it comes to international shipping," said Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization.

He said restrictions affecting maritime traffic and attacks on vessels had compounded the risks for crews operating in the region.

"There is a double blockade and too many vessels have been attacked, particularly in recent days.

"Seafarers have continued to perish in these attacks and around 6,000 seafarers remain trapped since the beginning of the conflict," he warned, adding that his message was not to transit the Strait of Hormuz or put seafarers at risk "until we have guarantees."

Iran separately reported a mine strike involving a tanker attempting to leave the strait. In a statement, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy said the vessel had disabled its positioning and navigation systems from the beginning of its voyage and disregarded the regulations governing passage.

The Iranian military said the incident occurred when the tanker attempted to cross the waterway through a southern route it considered unauthorized. It warned that vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf would face a firm response if they switched off navigation and identification systems.

Iran also raised concerns about the use of international maritime safety communications. In a letter circulated to member states on October 9, Iranian representatives alleged that American military forces had used VHF Channel 16, a designated distress and safety frequency, to intimidate Iranian crews in the Persian Gulf.

The Iranian letter described prolonged transmissions on the channel and alleged that crews had been addressed in Persian with threatening language.

"VHF Channel 16 has been repeatedly occupied for prolonged periods by the United States military forces operating in the Persian Gulf," the letter stated.

Iran further alleged that the transmissions included demands for crews to abandon their vessels, although the letter did not provide recordings, transcripts or specific details documenting the exchanges.

"During such transmissions, Iranian seafarers have been addressed in Persian with threatening, abusive and provocative language and in certain instances urged to abandon their vessels."

The U.S. Central Command defended its enforcement operations, saying the naval restrictions had been communicated to international mariners and that crews received warnings before enforcement measures were taken.

"The U.S. naval blockade has been in place for months and is professionally communicated to all international mariners," CENTCOM said.

The command said vessels had opportunities to comply with instructions before further action was taken.

"Vessels that refuse to comply with blockade enforcement receive multiple warnings, with ample opportunity to comply.

"American forces remain highly vigilant, focused and professional while fully enforcing the naval blockade against Iran."

Iran accused American forces of misusing a channel intended for maritime emergencies and safety communications, describing the alleged conduct as a threat to civilian shipping.

"instrument of military intimidation and psychological pressure against civilian crews."

Dominguez said civilian sailors were not combatants and should not be exposed to threats through communications systems established for maritime safety.

"Seafarers are not trained for combat, and they are not guilty of any conflicts that are happening around the world," Dominguez said.

He said similar communication concerns had emerged in other conflict zones, raising questions about compliance with established international procedures.

"And we have seen this in several parts of the world where Channel 16, that should not be used for this kind of communication, starts receiving messages that may be perceived as actually threatening or that are outside the remit of why it was created."

The IMO chief said the organization could examine whether existing rules and operational guidance require clarification. He did not announce a formal investigation into Iran's allegations.

"Our role here at IMO is that when those situations take place, we will then look into any technical measures or any operational aspects that we may need to clarify further within our regulatory framework," he said, stressing that member states have equal rights to raise concerns, regardless of the conflict.

Dominguez said the organization circulates formal communications submitted by member states and considers them through its established meetings and procedures.

"We have a responsibility, and I have a duty as well, to circulate letters and notes that the countries actually put forward when they're also being affected."

He described the process through which the IMO reviews information received from governments.

"We take all that information, meet at the level of different meetings of the organization and have the discussions," Dominguez added.

He said the organization could consider stronger protections if its review identifies shortcomings in existing maritime communication rules.

"If it's demonstrated that we probably need to improve our rules in order to avoid communications issues, or that we need to enhance the knowledge of how these channels should be used, that is a role for us."

Dominguez also identified fraudulent vessel registrations and false flags as additional sources of risk, saying some ships were operating as shuttle tankers to move cargo through the affected region.

"What we've also seen right now is an increase in fraudulent registries with false flags that are taking the risk and acting as shuttle tankers in order to bring goods in and out," he said. "That's one of the reasons that we're seeing an escalation.

He criticized shipowners who continue trading despite the danger to crews and vessels.

"And it's the irresponsible shipowners that are taking the risk in order to actually be able to trade and move some of the goods and the cargoes."

Dominguez said each attack and loss of life represented a serious concern for the organization.

"For me, any single case, any vessel that is attacked, any life of a seafarer that is lost, is a critical situation for me, because they are all relevant, they are all important."

Despite the conflict, the IMO secretary-general said diplomatic communication with Iran remained open, although he had no direct contact with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps.

"I have communications with all the member states of IMO, and that includes the Islamic Republic of Iran," he said.

He said contact with Iranian officials took place through established diplomatic channels rather than direct military communication.

"Of course, that's through the diplomatic channels. I don't have direct contact with the IRGC.

Dominguez said messages continued to move between the parties, but reaching final decisions remained difficult while the conflict continued.

"I have conversations with them and they respond to my messages. You know, the information flows. What is difficult is to get final decisions because of the conflict that is ongoing."

Iran asked the IMO to raise its communications allegations with member states and relevant international organizations, potentially including the International Telecommunication Union. The allegations concerning American military transmissions could not be independently verified, and the Iranian letter supplied no recordings or transcripts of the disputed exchanges.