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Thousands of sailors remain stranded near the Strait of Hormuz due to intensifying attacks on commercial shipping, the United Nations’ top maritime official warned on Sunday after Iran accused the US military of using an international emergency radio channel to threaten civilian crews.
The warning also comes amid reports that 24 ships were attacked on the waterway over around two weeks, highlighting growing concerns about maritime security in the region, according to the Financial Times.
“The situation continues to be serious and critical regarding international shipping,” International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez told Fox News Digital.
“There is a double blockade and too many ships have been attacked, especially in recent days.
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24 ships were attacked on the waterway in about two weeks, according to reports. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“Sailors have continued to die in these attacks and around 6,000 sailors remain stranded since the start of the conflict,” he warned, adding that his message was not to transit through the Strait of Hormuz or put sailors in danger “until we have guarantees.”
Dominguez’s warning followed an Oct. 9 letter to the IMO in which Iran claimed the U.S. military was using VHF channel 16, an internationally designated maritime distress and security channel, to intimidate Iranian crews in the Persian Gulf.
“VHF channel 16 has been occupied repeatedly and for prolonged periods by U.S. military forces operating in the Persian Gulf,” the letter states.
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A column of smoke rises from the oil tanker El Gaia after an incident in the Strait of Hormuz.
“During these transmissions, Iranian sailors were addressed in Persian with threatening, abusive and provocative language and, in some cases, were asked to abandon their ships.”
In a statement to Fox News Digital, US Central Command defended its enforcement of the naval blockade of Iranian ports.
“The U.S. naval blockade has been in place for months and is professionally communicated to all international sailors,” CENTCOM said.
“Ships that refuse to comply with the blockade receive multiple warnings, with numerous opportunities to comply.
“US forces remain highly vigilant, focused and professional while fully enforcing the naval blockade against Iran.”
Iran’s complaint was filed by Seyed Ali Mousavi, its ambassador to the IMO, and distributed to member states on October 9, according to a copy reviewed by Fox News Digital.
Tehran also accused US forces of transforming the maritime security channel into an “instrument of military intimidation and psychological pressure against civilian crews”.
The letter named commercial vessels, shipping companies and maritime operators, but provided no records, transcripts or specific details of the alleged exchanges. Fox News Digital could not independently verify these accusations.
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Iranian naval units simulate the rescue of a hijacked ship during joint exercises at the Bandar Abbas port in Hormozgan, Iran, February 19, 2026. (Iranian Army/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“Seafarers are not trained for combat and they are not guilty of any conflict that breaks out in the world,” Dominguez said.
“And we’ve seen it in several parts of the world where Channel 16, which should not be used for this type of communication, is starting to receive messages that can be perceived as actually threatening or not the reason it was created.”
Iran also asked the IMO to report its allegations to member states and relevant international organizations, including the International Telecommunications Union.
Dominguez said the IMO could review its regulations and procedures to determine whether stronger safeguards are needed, although he did not announce a formal investigation.
“Our role here at IMO is that when these situations arise, we will look at any technical measures or operational aspects that we may need to further clarify in our regulatory framework,” he said, emphasizing that member states have equal rights to raise concerns, regardless of the conflict.
“We have a responsibility, and I also have a duty, to circulate the letters and notes that countries present when they are also affected.”
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The U.S. naval blockade has been in place for months and is professionally communicated to all international sailors, CENTCOM said. (US Navy)
“We take all this information, we come together at different organizational meetings and have discussions,” Dominguez added.
“If it is demonstrated that we probably need to improve our rules in order to avoid communication problems, or that we need to improve our knowledge of how these channels should be used, that is our role.”
The IMO had recorded 100 confirmed maritime incidents in the region as of October 9, with 24 sailors killed since the conflict began on February 28. Dominguez also warned that fraudulent vessel registrations and false flags contributed greatly to the danger.
“What we’re also seeing right now is an increase in fraudulent false flag registries that are taking risks and acting as tanker shuttles to move goods in and out,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons we’re seeing an escalation.
“And it’s the irresponsible shipowners who are taking the risk so they can actually trade and move certain goods and cargo.”
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A ship passes through the Strait of Hormuz during a two-week temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran, April 8, 2026. (Shady Alassar/Anadolu/Getty Images)
“For me, every case, every ship attacked, every sailor’s life lost, is a critical situation for me, because they are all relevant, they are all important.”
Despite the confrontation, Dominguez said diplomatic channels with Iran remained open, although he had no direct contact with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
“I have communications with all IMO member states, including the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said.
“Of course, this is done through diplomatic channels. I have no direct contact with the IRGC.
“I have conversations with them and they respond to my messages. You know, information is getting around. What’s difficult is getting final decisions because of the ongoing conflict.”
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Fox News Digital has contacted the Iranian embassy for comment.
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