By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN maritime agency on Tuesday condemned overnight attacks on shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz that killed at least two seafarers as fresh strikes were reported early in the escalating US-Iran war.
IMO spokesperson said “We are gravely concerned by the latest attacks,” added that the agency is urgently working with authorities to confirm the circumstances.
“IMO wholly condemns these attacks. The cycle of escalation must end.”
The maritime agency has been working with parties in the region after Israel and the United States began an intense bombing campaign against Iran in late February drawing counterstrikes across the Gulf against US allies by Tehran.
IMO noted that recent days have seen a major escalation in strikes, which has broken the fragile interim truce established under the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding signed in mid-June.
IMO’s efforts to alleviate the closure of the strait since hostilities erupted include establishing evacuation routes for ships stuck in the critical commercial waterway through which 20 per cent of oil and natural gas exports used to pass.
IMO said that all parties have a responsibility to show restraint, avoid escalation and return to dialogue.
The escalation which began last week has seen multiple strikes on ships trying to navigate the Strait of Hormuz.
“IMO urges all parties to choose the path that protect seafarers’ lives and the freedom of navigation, so that this dangerous situation does not spiral further out of control,” the IMO spokesperson said.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk said “Reports on the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are very alarming for their impact on human rights far beyond the region.”
“It is a vital lifeline on which millions are reliant.”
He said that disruptions to the flow of food, medicines, and other necessary commodities have severe socioeconomic and humanitarian consequences, both regionally and globally.
Turk added that diplomacy, restraint and de-escalation must be prioritised.”
He said that reported attacks by Iran and the US “must stop immediately”, urged an immediate return to the ceasefire and its implementation consistent with international law.
UN maritime agency has been closely monitoring developments to protect over 20,000 seafarers in the region, including those stranded on vessels unable to exit the Strait of Hormuz.
IMO managed to safely evacuate 11,000 seafarers but paused the initiative on 25 June following a string of attacks.
UN maritime agency is also participating in a UN-led dedicated Task Force on the Strait of Hormuz, established in March 2026.
