Six thousand seafarers trapped near Strait of Hormuz amid mounting ship attacks

Around 6,000 seafarers remain trapped near the Strait of Hormuz as attacks on commercial vessels continue in the vital shipping route, Fox News reported. The top maritime official at the United Nations issued the warning after Iran accused the United States military of using an international emergency radio channel, VHF Channel 16, to threaten civilian crews. Fox News added that 24 ships have faced attacks on the waterway over approximately two weeks. [1]

The latest incidents include two unidentified projectiles striking a tugboat near the Strait of Hormuz, WANA News Agency reported. Meanwhile, Iran's foreign minister stated that the strategic waterway could open within days if the United States abides by conditions presented in a seven-day ceasefire plan, according to CBS News. CBS News also reported ongoing strikes between Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition, which prompted remote working orders at the Kingdom Centre skyscraper in Riyadh following drone interceptions. [2][3]

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been largely blocked by Iran since 28 February 2026, when the United States and Israel launched an air war against Iran. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps subsequently warned against passage, attacked merchant ships, and laid sea mines. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Iranian attacks have previously sunk cargo ships in the strait, including the Singapore-flagged GFS Pride. [5][6]

The ongoing disruption affects a critical choke point that previously carried about 25 percent of the world seaborne oil trade and 20 percent of its liquefied natural gas. As FTMQ News reported earlier, the United States has deployed two aircraft carriers to the Arabian Sea in response to the regional maritime crisis. [5][6][7]