The ongoing conflict involving Iran has left approximately 20,000 crew members stranded aboard 1,500 vessels in the Gulf, as reported by the Maritime Department of the United Nations. Arsenio Dominguez, head of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), highlighted that there have been over 30 violent incidents against commercial ships since the beginning of the year, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 seafarers. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route located between Iran and Oman, has seen its shipping activity drastically reduced due to Iran's restrictions following heightened military cooperation between the US and Israel. This disruption poses a significant threat to the global economy, as shipping accounts for over 80 percent of worldwide goods transport. Nations like Bahrain, Singapore, Japan, and the UAE are advocating for a safe passage for vessels, a topic discussed by the IMO in London earlier this year. Despite ongoing peace talks between Washington and Tehran, shipping through the Strait remains severely limited, leading many companies to avoid the area altogether due to safety concerns. Experts predict that even if the strait is reopened, recovery could take several weeks or months.