Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), has spoken out strongly against the dramatic escalation in the Strait of Hormuz. In an official statement, the head of the UN agency for maritime safety strongly condemned the seizures carried out by the Pasdaran, describing Iran’s actions as ‘reckless and unacceptable’.
Dominguez expressed deep concern for the safety of seafarers, also criticising the decisions made by shipping companies: “The situation in the region remains extremely volatile. I cannot understand why companies would take risks, and endanger seafarers’ lives,”
The Secretary then shared the first-hand account of a sailor stranded in the Persian Gulf, painting a picture of extreme tension: “He described the constant stress of missiles overhead, the danger of falling debris striking the ship, the need to ration supplies, and the difficulty of keeping his family informed about his situation.”
Even if the seafarer in question has managed to leave the area, the overall situation remains critical: according to IMO figures, around 20,000 seafarers have been living in a state of complete uncertainty for over seven weeks, with no idea when they will be able to return home.
According to Dominguez, there is no alternative to dialogue: “There is still much more work to be done. De-escalation, meaningful actions and restoring the freedom of navigation is the only way forward.”
Translation by Giles Foster
