IMO chief warns of severe risks as thousands of seafarers remain stranded near Strait of Hormuz

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) said the Strait of Hormuz continues to pose a severe threat to international shipping, with roughly 6,000 seafarers unable to leave the area since the conflict began.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez told Fox News Digital that “the situation continues to be severe and critical when it comes to international shipping” and warned that vessels should not transit the strait without guarantees of safety. He added that seafarers are not trained for combat and should not be placed at risk.

According to a Financial Times report, 24 commercial ships have been attacked in the waterway over the past two weeks, and the IMO has recorded 100 confirmed maritime incidents in the region as of early October, including 24 seafarer deaths since February. Dominguez also highlighted a rise in fraudulent ship registrations and false-flag operations, which he said contribute to the escalating danger.

Iran has accused the U.S. military of using the internationally designated VHF Channel 16 distress frequency to issue threatening messages to Iranian crews, alleging that the channel was repeatedly occupied by U.S. forces. The Iranian ambassador to the IMO, Seyed Ali Mousavi, submitted a letter on Oct. 9 requesting that the organization raise the issue with member states and relevant bodies such as the International Telecommunication Union. The United States Central Command defended its naval blockade of Iranian ports, stating that it communicates the blockade to all international mariners and issues multiple warnings to vessels that do not comply.

Dominguez said the IMO could review its regulations and operational procedures to improve safeguards for the channel and other communications, though no formal investigation has been announced. He emphasized that the organization will consider technical measures if evidence shows current rules need strengthening, and he reaffirmed that diplomatic channels with Iran remain open through standard IMO channels.