The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations maritime agency, condemned deadly overnight attacks on shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, July 14th, 2026. The strikes, part of the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran, resulted in the deaths of at least two seafarers and hit multiple ships in a critical commercial waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz, once a route for 20 percent of global oil and natural gas exports, has been severely impacted by the ongoing hostilities. The attacks follow a war launched in February by Israel and the US against Iran, which has since seen counterstrikes by Tehran targeting US allies and assets in the Gulf region. A prior interim ceasefire agreement aimed to secure safe shipping corridors, but recent events have undermined these efforts.

An IMO spokesperson expressed grave concern over the latest attacks and stated that the agency is urgently working with authorities to confirm the circumstances. The IMO has been actively engaged in establishing evacuation routes for ships stranded in the strait and monitoring the safety of over 20,000 seafarers in the region.

Volker Türk, the UN human rights chief, highlighted the broader implications of the strait's closure, stating, “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.”

The IMO urged all parties to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue to protect seafarers and maintain freedom of navigation before the crisis worsens.

Sources