International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has issued a strongly worded statement today,April 22 2026 denouncing ongoing attacks and seizures of commercial ships in the Persian Gulf region.
The IMO scribe made the pronouncement in a statement against the backdrop of vessel and seafarers’ detained at the Arabian sea.
“The attacks on and seizures of commercial ships are unacceptable,” Dominguez said. “I once again call for these reckless actions to cease and for any ships and innocent seafarers to be released immediately.”
He highlighted the volatile situation, questioning why shipping companies continue to risk lives.
Dominguez shared a personal account from a seafarer he spoke with, who endured “constant stress of missiles overhead, the danger of falling debris striking the ship, the need to ration supplies, and the difficulty of keeping his family informed.”
While that seafarer escaped, Dominguez noted nearly 20,000 others remain stranded after seven weeks, uncertain of returning home. “There is much more work to be done,” he added. “De-escalation, meaningful actions and restoring the freedom of navigation is the only way forward.”
The IMO continues to monitor the crisis amid heightened regional tensions.
