The tightening of Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz is exacerbating the difficulties of thousands of sailors stranded on board ships in the Gulf, according to testimonies gathered by Reuters.
According to the International Transport Workers' Federation, more than 20,000 seafarers are stranded on approximately 2,000 ships in the region, often without the possibility of disembarking, with shortages of food and drinking water and delays in the payment of wages.
Iran recently released a new map claiming expanded control over the waters around the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic passage through which a major part of the world's oil trade passes.
According to Reuters, many sailors have been living in very difficult conditions aboard their ships, which are stranded in the Gulf, for nearly three months. Some describe an isolated life, marked by the fear of possible military attacks in an area now considered a war zone.
"The only thing we do here is plan how to spend the night and pray to God that we don't get hit in an attack," an Indian sailor told Reuters.
The strait was effectively closed by Tehran after the start of US and Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28, causing a major global maritime and energy transport crisis.
While diplomatic negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain uncertain, maritime advocacy organizations are warning of a rapid deterioration in humanitarian conditions on board ships stranded in the region.
Community
Comments
Comments are open, but protected against spam. Initial posts and comments containing links undergo manual review.
Be the first to comment on this article.