Ships sailing near the Strait of Hormuz off the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates at Khor Fakkan on July 13, 2026. — AFP file pic Summary The United Nations has called for immediate action to evacuate and repatriate approximately 6,000 seafarers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to ongoing conflicts. UN human rights chief Volker Turk highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis faced by these individuals and urged all parties involved in the Middle East conflict to ensure the safe passage and delivery of essential supplies. Attacks on civilian vessels must cease, as they are protected under international humanitarian law. The situation has escalated following new US strikes on Iran, impacting the global oil market. First Published: Friday, 24 Jul 2026 6:52 PM MYT GENEVA, July 24 — The United Nations on Friday urged countries involved in the Middle East war to help evacuate and repatriate some 6,000 sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.UN human rights chief Volker Turk called for urgent action to remedy the plight of thousands of stranded seafarers, who are facing “a dire humanitarian and human rights crisis” in the waterway, his spokeswoman Shabia Mantoo said.The International Maritime Organisation has said there are at least 6,000 seafarers on hundreds of vessels who are stranded in the strait, unable to evacuate during the ceasefire.“Parties to the conflict should urgently work to facilitate safe passage for stranded seafarers to safely evacuate and disembark, as well as ensure the delivery of critical supplies,” Mantoo told a press conference in Geneva.“Attacks against civilian vessels are unacceptable and must stop. They are protected under international humanitarian law.”Turk is urging states, ship owners and all other relevant actors to “urgently ensure the protection of stranded seafarers”, including through consular assistance and providing essential supplies, “and by facilitating evacuations and repatriations”, Mantoo added.The United States launched fresh strikes on Iran on Friday after Tehran-backed Houthi rebels attacked oil tankers in the Red Sea, marking an escalation that pushed crude prices past US$100 a barrel.The US military insisted that the Strait of Hormuz — through which one fifth of the world’s oil passed before the war — was “open for transit” after Iran pressed on with attacks on tankers using the route in a bid to strongarm them into paying for safe passage. — AFP