Six months into conflict, 6,000 sailors stranded in Strait of Hormuz

Six months into an extended conflict involving Iran, around 6,000 sailors are stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, unable to leave due to the ongoing blockade. The situation affects roughly 500 ships, with the majority of stranded sailors believed to be from India and the Philippines.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) figures cited by The Guardian indicate the scale of the crisis. While a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on June 17 between the US and Iran aimed to facilitate a ceasefire and allow passage, many ships and sailors were unable to exit the strait at that time.

Further complicating matters, some vessels entered the strait after the MOU, apparently misjudging the potential for continued passage. Maritime publication Lloyd's List suggests 65 of the isolated oil tankers entered the area post-MOU. The sailors face ongoing threats from Iran regarding attacks on civilian vessels, adding to their distress.