IMO chief urges de-escalation as attacks on shipping intensify in Mideast

The head of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on Wednesday called for an immediate halt of attacks on commercial vessels and warned of escalating risks to seafarers amid growing tensions in the Middle East.

"The attacks on and seizures of commercial ships are unacceptable," IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said in a statement, urging that "these reckless actions" cease and that "any ships and innocent seafarers be released immediately."

Describing the situation as "extremely volatile," Dominguez questioned why companies continue to operate in high-risk waters. "I cannot understand why companies would take risks and endanger seafarers' lives," he said.

Nearly 20,000 seafarers remain stranded after seven weeks, still uncertain when they will be able to return home, Dominguez noted.

"De-escalation, meaningful actions and restoring the freedom of navigation are the only way forward," he said.

According to the IMO, at least 26 incidents involving attacks on ships have been confirmed in the region as of April 22, resulting in 10 seafarer fatalities. The organization has urged vessels operating near the Strait of Hormuz to maintain maximum caution.

Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have been rising since the United States on April 13 announced a blockade on vessels entering and leaving Iranian ports.

The US military said on Sunday that it fired on an Iranian-flagged cargo ship as the vessel sailed toward Iran's Bandar Abbas port, before boarding and taking control of the ship.

Iranian media reported on Wednesday that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had seized two vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without authorization.