More than 40 Iranian seafarers have been killed during the recent conflict involving the United States and Israel, according to a union representing maritime workers in Iran. The Iranian Merchant Mariners Syndicate says at least 44 people, including sailors, fishermen and dock workers, died between February 28 and April 1.
The union’s general secretary, Saman Rezaei, told Al Jazeera that the deaths were linked to attacks on Iranian ports and commercial vessels. He also said at least 29 others were injured and nine remain missing, although the figures could not be independently verified.
The claims come despite a ceasefire that took effect on April 8, following weeks of intensified military action. Conflict monitoring group ACLED says more than 3,000 air strikes were carried out on Iran during the period, with Iran launching nearly 1,600 retaliatory strikes.
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The crisis has also disrupted maritime activity in the region, with thousands of seafarers stranded around the Strait of Hormuz amid a US naval blockade and ongoing security concerns.
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