IMO Reports 68 Incidents and 20 Deaths Near Hormuz in Six Months of War

The Strait of Hormuz recorded 68 maritime incidents in the six months following the outbreak of the US-Iran conflict, killing 20 seafarers and port workers and wounding 35 others, the International Maritime Organization said on 25 August 2026.

One person remains unaccounted for. The IMO classified 47 of the 68 incidents as attacks. Tankers made up roughly half the ships affected, by count.

Ships registered under the Liberian flag were hit most often by flag state, accounting for 13 incidents over the six-month period.

The pace was not steady. Incident frequency fell by around half during a phase of peace negotiations, then rose again after those talks collapsed in early July 2026.

The IMO's Secretary-General called the seafarer deaths "unacceptable."