International Maritime Organization: Shipboard attacks and vessel seizures are unacceptable; calls for the immediate release of personnel and vessels.

　　Xinhua News Agency, London, April 22 (Reporter Gao Wencheng) International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Dominguez stated on the 22nd that attacks and seizures of merchant ships are unacceptable and called for the immediate release of all detained vessels and innocent crew members.

　　Dominguez issued a statement regarding recent attacks on merchant ships near the Strait of Hormuz, saying that the situation in the Middle East remains extremely volatile. He expressed confusion as to why some shipping companies are "risking the lives of seafarers."

　　Dominguez emphasized again: "De-escalating the situation, taking meaningful actions, and restoring freedom of navigation are the only solutions."

　　According to Dominguez, a seafarer who had been trapped in the Persian Gulf described to him the ongoing stress caused by missiles flying overhead, the danger posed by falling debris to ships, the need for rationing supplies, and the difficulty in maintaining consistent communication with family to inform them of his situation. "Fortunately, this seafarer was eventually able to leave, but nearly 20,000 seafarers remain trapped there. Seven weeks have passed, and they still do not know when they can return home."

　　Since April 13, when the United States imposed a blockade on all ships entering and leaving Iranian ports, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have continued to escalate. On the 19th, the U.S. Central Command stated that U.S. forces fired at an Iranian cargo ship attempting to break the blockade and head to Iran's Abbas Port, disabling its propulsion system. U.S. Marines subsequently boarded and took control of the ship. According to Iranian media reports on the 22nd, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard claimed to have seized two ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without authorization.

　　According to the International Maritime Organization's official website, since the large-scale military actions launched by the United States and Israel against Iran at the end of February, at least 26 confirmed ship attack incidents have occurred in the relevant waters as of April 22, resulting in 10 seafarer deaths. An International Maritime Organization spokesperson stated on the 20th that the situation in the waters near the Strait of Hormuz remains volatile and unpredictable, and nearby vessels should maintain "the highest level of vigilance" and avoid taking risks without guaranteed safety.