New Delhi: Iran’s decision to close the Strait of Hormuz has severely disrupted maritime movement in the Gulf region, with reports indicating that thousands of Indian seafarers are facing uncertainty at sea.
The closure comes amid escalating attacks involving the US and Israel against Iran, intensifying regional tensions and affecting sea-borne trade. The Strait of Hormuz handles about 20% of global crude oil transport, and the shutdown has hit key oil shipments.
Iran has publicly warned that it would attack vessels attempting to pass through the strait in defiance of the restriction. In response, US President Donald Trump has said the US would provide security to ships transiting the route.
With the risk level rising, many vessels have been held in Gulf waters instead of using the strait. In this situation, 36 India-registered ships—including seven belonging to the state-owned Shipping Corporation of India—are reported to be stuck in the region, carrying 1,074 Indian crew members.
Officials are also concerned that as many as 23,000 Indian seafarers on ships in the wider Gulf region could be impacted. The central government is monitoring the status of Indian vessels every hour, and it has been noted that no Indian ships are taking the highly dangerous Red Sea route despite the disruption.
