Against the backdrop of escalating conflict in the Middle East, more than 20,000 sailors and approximately 3,200 vessels have been blocked in the Persian Gulf, west of the Strait of Hormuz. According to the UN News Service, this is related to ongoing hostilities.
An emergency UN meeting is taking place in London to discuss possible measures to support the sailors and vessels stranded on one of the world's most important trade routes.
According to the UK Maritime Security Agency, from February 28 to March 17, there were 21 incidents, of which 16 were attacks and 5 were cases of "suspicious activity." The strikes targeted tankers and container ships off the coasts of Iran and the UAE, resulting in fires and crew evacuations.
The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, reported that at least seven sailors have died as a result of the attacks since the conflict began, and several others have been injured.
He noted: “When shipping is considered collateral damage in conflicts, the entire world suffers—from the global economy to food security.”
According to the head of the IMO, about 20,000 sailors in the Persian Gulf are at high risk and experiencing significant psychological stress. “I again urge shipping companies to exercise maximum caution in this region and to avoid it whenever possible,” he added.
The discussion at the emergency session has caused disagreements among the participating countries. The delegations from Iran and Russia expressed doubts about the necessity of the meeting, pointing to possible violations of procedural rules, including a lack of proper notification. Nevertheless, the IMO Council decided to invoke a provision allowing the meeting to be held without adhering to standard requirements.
A representative of the United Arab Emirates condemned Iran's actions, calling them "illegal" and "unprovoked," emphasizing the serious threat to international shipping and regional stability. The UAE highlighted the importance of protecting freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and reaffirmed its right to self-defense under the UN Charter.
Several countries expressed concern about the situation of sailors in the conflict zone.
The Swedish delegation welcomed the discussion, noting the importance of keeping the international community's attention on the fate of the "innocent sailors" stranded in the region.
The Netherlands expressed concern that sailors continue to work in extremely dangerous conditions and often cannot leave the area. The delegation called for ensuring their access to basic resources such as food and drinking water, prioritizing their safety.
China strongly urged an immediate cessation of hostilities, emphasizing that only de-escalation can guarantee safety in the Strait of Hormuz. The Chinese delegation also warned of serious consequences for the global economy and trade if "normal shipping order" is not restored.
The United States, for its part, reported the establishment of a reinsurance mechanism aimed at restoring trust in the market and resuming energy and commercial shipments. The American delegation also supported additional initiatives, including the IMO Council's proposal to create a safe maritime corridor for the evacuation of commercial vessels from affected areas.
The US delegation called on the international community to support efforts to restore shipping through the strait.
Since February 28, the United States and Israel have continued military operations against Iran, during which major cities, including the capital, have been targeted. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a large-scale retaliatory operation, attacking facilities in Israel and also targeting US assets in Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. As a result of the attacks on Iran, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking officials were killed. The escalation in the Middle East continues.
