Strait of Hormuz crisis traps 6,000 sailors as attacks on ships mount, UN maritime chief says

Thousands of sailors remain stranded near the amid escalating attacks on commercial ships, the United Nations' top maritime official warned Sunday after Iran accused the U.S. military of using an international emergency radio channel to threaten civilian crews.

The warning also came amid reports that 24 ships had been attacked on the waterway over roughly two weeks, underscoring growing concerns about maritime safety in the region, according to Financial Times.

"The situation continues to be severe and critical when it comes to international shipping," International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez told Fox News Digital.

"There is a double blockade and too many vessels have been attacked, particularly in recent days.

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"Seafarers have continued to perish in these attacks and around 6,000 seafarers remain trapped since the beginning of the conflict," he warned, adding that his message was not to transit the Strait of Hormuz or put seafarers at risk "until we have guarantees."

Dominguez's warning followed an Oct. 9 letter to the IMO in which Iran alleged that the U.S. military used VHF Channel 16, an internationally designated maritime distress and safety channel, to intimidate Iranian crews in the Persian Gulf.

"VHF Channel 16 has been repeatedly occupied for prolonged periods by the United States military forces operating in the Persian Gulf," the letter stated.

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"During such transmissions, Iranian seafarers have been addressed in Persian with threatening, abusive and provocative language and in certain instances urged to abandon their vessels."

In a statement to Fox News Digital, U.S. 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 mariners," CENTCOM said.

"Vessels that refuse to comply with blockade enforcement receive multiple warnings, with ample opportunity to comply.

"American forces remain highly vigilant, focused, and professional while fully enforcing the naval blockade against Iran."

Iran's complaint was submitted by Seyed Ali Mousavi, its ambassador to the IMO, and circulated to member states on Oct. 9, according to a copy reviewed by Fox News Digital.

Tehran also accused American forces of turning the maritime safety channel into an "instrument of military intimidation and psychological pressure against civilian crews."

The letter cited commercial vessels, shipping companies and maritime operators but provided no recordings