UN maritime agency warns against targeting seafarers amid rising Middle East shipping attacks

Amid an uptick in attacks on commercial vessels traversing the Red Sea, Bab al‑Mandab and the Strait of Hormuz, United Nations maritime agency chief Arsenio Domínguez warned that the escalating violence should not be interpreted as a pretext for targeting innocent seafarers. The agency, which monitors global shipping safety, noted a sharp increase in incidents over the past month that it attributes to heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, though it stopped short of assigning direct responsibility to either side.

Domínguez emphasized that the safety of maritime crews remains a priority for the UN and called on all parties involved in the US‑Iran confrontation to respect international law and protect civilian navigation. He urged regional authorities and naval forces to cooperate in securing the waterways, stressing that any further attacks could disrupt critical trade routes and exacerbate humanitarian concerns in the region. The UN agency will continue to document incidents and provide guidance to mitigate risks to shipping until a diplomatic resolution is achieved.