TEHRAN, July 7 — Hundreds of merchant sailors remain trapped aboard damaged vessels in the Gulf of Oman after a series of mine strikes on commercial shipping, according to state and international reports. The attacks have left at least three tankers disabled, with crew members evacuated by U.S. Navy helicopters. The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has issued an urgent call for safe passage for the stranded crews, warning of imminent risks including fire, explosion, and drowning.
The Gulf of Oman has long been a flashpoint for maritime tensions, particularly during periods of heightened confrontation between Iran and Western naval forces. The current incident, which began on July 7, 2026, marks one of the most significant disruptions to merchant traffic in the region since the tanker wars of the 1980s. Officials said the mine strikes appear coordinated, though no group has yet claimed responsibility.
The human toll is immediate. The ITF’s account indicates that hundreds of sailors are now stuck on vessels that may be structurally compromised. With fires still burning on some ships and the risk of secondary explosions high, the union has pressed for swift international intervention. “The crews face fire, explosion, and drowning risks,” the ITF said in a statement, according to reports. The U.S. Navy has already conducted helicopter evacuations from at least one of the stricken tankers.
Beyond the immediate danger to life, the attacks are sending shockwaves through global supply chains. The Gulf of Oman is a critical chokepoint for oil shipments from the Persian Gulf. India, Japan, and South Korea — all heavily dependent on Gulf crude — now face potential disruptions to food, medical supplies, and electronics. The account indicates these supply chains are already under strain.
Ports in Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates and Salalah in Oman are overwhelmed with diverted traffic, officials said. Vessels rerouting from the danger zone have created congestion, delaying deliveries and raising shipping costs. The situation threatens to compound inflationary pressures in economies already grappling with high energy prices.
The United States administration, under President Donald Trump, has not yet issued a formal response to the attacks. However, the U.S. Navy’s swift evacuation of crew members signals Washington’s concern over the security of a waterway that carries roughly a fifth of the world’s oil. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been briefed, according to diplomatic sources.
What comes next will depend on whether the attacks are isolated or part of a broader campaign against commercial shipping. For now, the priority remains the safety of the hundreds of sailors still at sea. The ITF has called on all parties to guarantee safe passage, but in a region where mine strikes have historically been followed by retaliation, the outlook remains uncertain.
