Approximately 6,000 seafarers aboard roughly 400 vessels remain stuck in the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing discussions between the United States and Iran over claims that Iranian forces have been intimidating crews in the vital waterway.
Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO), recently described the situation as critical and showing little sign of improvement. He referred to a “double blockade” affecting shipping and cautioned companies against routing vessels and crews through the strait.
A recent assessment indicated that 24 ships came under attack in the Hormuz area during the previous two weeks—the highest number since hostilities began in February following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. IMO’s public registry listed 113 attacks or attempted attacks on ships as of 15 October, with 24 seafarers killed to date.
Iran has shifted its approach in the waterway to increase pressure on commercial traffic. The U.S. Navy has characterized the threat to shipping in the region as “severe.”
Iran’s representative to the IMO, Seyed Ali Mousavi, noted that VHF Channel 16 is internationally designated for vessels or crews in distress.
He alleged that the U.S. Navy has instead used the channel to threaten Iranian ships and personnel, creating fear and applying “psychological pressure” on civilian crews.
U.S. military guidance has directed vessels transiting Hormuz that seek American assistance to use Channel 16 or contact U.S. authorities. In a July statement, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said it would support other ships while maintaining a blockade on Iranian vessels. More recently, CENTCOM stated that it issues multiple warnings to ships attempting to cross the strait before any engagement.
These developments preceded strikes on two Singapore-registered ships, GFS Pride and GFS Giselle, on 13 and 14 October 2026. Both were hit by projectiles; GFS Pride sank, though all 21 crew members were rescued. GFS Giselle sustained hull damage and is undergoing repairs at anchorage; its 22 crew members were also evacuated.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has said Tehran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a week if the United States considered its demands and worked toward an agreement.
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