International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has reported that around 6,000 sailors are stranded aboard hundreds of ships in the Gulf amid rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement cited by Al Jazeera, Dominguez condemned recent attacks on several vessels crossing the strait over the past two days, warning that such incidents have placed innocent seafarers’ lives at severe risk.

He stressed that no sailor should face danger merely for performing their duties and urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and work to de-escalate the situation. Dominguez called on flag states, shipowners, and operators to avoid transiting the strait if crew safety cannot be guaranteed.

According to the IMO chief, the recent attacks have intensified fear, uncertainty, and psychological stress among the roughly 6,000 sailors unable to leave the Gulf. He reaffirmed that ensuring the safety of seafarers must remain the top priority.