Human rights activists have classified Iran's attacks on civilian vessels as war crimes
The international human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) has officially stated that attacks by Iranian forces on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz appear to constitute war crimes.
Specifically, this refers to incidents on March 11, 2026, when at least two civilian vessels were targeted.
According to human rights activists, in the first half of March alone, 17 cases of vessel damage were recorded as a result of 16 targeted attacks.
The attacks span the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf, and the Gulf of Oman, effectively paralyzing safe navigation in this strategic region.
“Deliberate attacks on civilian vessels and their crew members constitute a war crime. War crimes do not justify other war crimes, and all parties must immediately cease unlawful attacks on civilians,” emphasized the organization’s researcher, Nika Jafarnia.
The grim statistics of the attacks indicate that at least seven sailors have been killed, and four others are missing.
In addition to the human toll, Tehran’s aggressive actions are triggering a global economic crisis that is hitting the most vulnerable populations around the world.
Human rights activists emphasize that these attacks are leading to a significant increase in global costs in the energy and food sectors.
According to estimates by international agencies, oil prices have already skyrocketed by approximately 40% since the start of the conflict, which will inevitably lead to higher costs for transportation and essential services.
The situation in the Strait of Hormuz is taking on the characteristics of large-scale extortion at the state level.
Reports have emerged that the Iranian side has established a specific “fee” for the safe passage of ships, amounting to about $2 million per vessel.
HRW has separately appealed to the Iranian authorities to rescue the three crew members who remain stranded aboard the Mayuree Naree.
Human rights activists also insist on the immediate release of all detained sailors who have become hostages of a political standoff.
The call to cease attacks applies not only to Iran but also to the U.S. and Israel, as international law prohibits treating civilian facilities as legitimate military targets.
As a reminder, the U.S. destroyed Iran’s fortified missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz.
Additionally, approximately 20,000 sailors are stranded due to the conflict surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
