UN Maritime Chief Says 6,000 Seafarers Trapped Near Strait of Hormuz
The head of the International Maritime Organization told Fox News Digital that about 6,000 seafarers are stuck near the Strait of Hormuz as attacks on shipping continue. It followed an Iranian complaint that the U.S. military misused an emergency radio channel.
Snapshot
Fox News reports that IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez describes a double blockade near the Strait of Hormuz, with about 6,000 seafarers trapped, some killed, and 24 ships attacked over roughly two weeks according to the Financial Times. Dominguez called conditions severe and critical and urged vessels not to cross without guarantees, while the post treats the radio misuse charge as Iran's claim in its letter.
Key points
- Stranded crews: IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said roughly 6,000 seafarers have been trapped since the conflict began and that some have died in attacks.
- Ship attacks: Citing the Financial Times, Fox News said 24 ships came under attack in the strait over about two weeks.
- Advice to shipping: Dominguez described "a double blockade" and urged vessels not to cross the strait "until we have guarantees."
- Iran's complaint: In an Oct. 9 letter to the IMO, Iran accused U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf of tying up VHF Channel 16, a distress and safety frequency, and of using it to address Iranian crews in Persian with threatening language, at times telling them to abandon ship.
- Wider picture: The live blog's summary says Qatar was preparing to unveil a regional defense agreement with several Middle Eastern countries, and that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned the U.S. and Israel against new attacks on Tehran.
Quick take
According to Fox News, Dominguez called conditions for international shipping "severe and critical" and said too many vessels had been hit. The post, drawn from reporting by Fox News' Emma Bussey, presents the radio-channel accusation as Iran's claim in its letter to the IMO.
Read the full story at Fox News.