AEThe head of the United Nations’ maritime agency stated that attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz likely exceed official counts because many ships using fraudulent registrations or false flags fail to report incidents. Since the conflict between the US and Iran began in late February, the International Maritime Organization has recorded at least 125 attacks, with 34 occurring in October alone. The IMO Secretary General noted that increased use of “shadow tankers” disabling their tracking systems makes accurate monitoring difficult, though regional nations often assist in verifying incidents. He declined to confirm reports that US forces have cleared Iranian-laid mines, advising against transit due to unresolved safety risks. Approximately 350 to 400 ships remain stranded in the Arabian Gulf, yet roughly 12 vessels continue to pass through the strait daily despite safety warnings.
Bias read (Center): The article relies exclusively on official statements from the IMO and US military regarding security threats, presenting factual data and direct quotes without employing loaded language or taking a partisan stance on the underlying geopolitical conflict.
