HRW says Iran attacks on civilian ships may be war crimes

2026-03-25 - 09:30

Iranian forces appear to have deliberately targeted at least two civilian commercial vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz on 11 March 2026, actions that could amount to war crimes, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on 23 March. The rights group said the attacks on the Safesea Vishnu and the Thai-flagged Mayuree Naree were supported by statements from Iranian authorities, as well as visual evidence and maritime data. It said both vessels were civilian ships with civilian crews and there was no indication they were legitimate military targets. “Deliberately targeting civilian ships and their crew members is a war crime,” said Niku Jafarnia, a Middle East researcher at Human Rights Watch, urging Iran, the United States and Israel to end unlawful attacks on civilians and civilian objects. The report comes amid escalating tensions in the region. Between 1 and 17 March, the United Nations confirmed 17 incidents of damage to commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. At least seven seafarers and one shipyard worker were killed, while others were injured or missing, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Human Rights Watch said the attacks and ongoing threats to shipping have already disrupted global energy markets, contributing to rising oil prices and increasing costs in key sectors such as food and transport. The group warned that such economic impacts could harm the rights of vulnerable populations worldwide. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, carrying about a quarter of global seaborne oil trade. Analysts say continued instability in the area risks further supply disruptions and broader economic fallout. Human Rights Watch also noted that Iranian officials had publicly warned of restricting traffic through the strait and, in some cases, claimed responsibility for attacks on vessels that allegedly ignored Iranian instructions. However, the group said such claims do not justify targeting civilian ships under international humanitarian law. It called on Iranian forces to immediately halt attacks on civilian vessels, ensure the safety of crews, and comply with international law, while urging all parties to the conflict to avoid further escalation that could endanger civilians and global trade.