Iranian Fishermen Return to Hormuz Waters Amid Ongoing Tensions

After more than three months of idleness, Iranian fishermen have begun venturing back onto the Strait of Hormuz. Mohammad-Amin, a 47-year-old fisherman from Bandar Abbas, says his boat has been at sea for roughly 20 days, driven by the need to feed his three children. Others, such as 53-year-old Hossein and boat owner Bagher Abbaszadeh, echo the same urgency, noting that without daily catches their families would face starvation.

The Straits TimesSouth China Morning Post

Months of fighting between Iran and the United States in and around the strategic waterway resulted in significant civilian losses. Iranian media reported that nearly a dozen fishermen were killed off Bandar Abbas and nearby southern islands, while 17 fishermen from the neighbouring Sistan-Baluchistan province went missing. The Iran Daily later noted that more than 2,000 fishermen from Hormozgan province lost their equipment, and the ISNA news agency reported hundreds of fishing and trade vessels were damaged.

The Straits Times

The conflict has left the sea littered with wreckage, making net repairs a frequent necessity. Mohammad-Amin says his nets now snag on ship debris, forcing him to replace four nets since his return.

The Straits Times

Iran maintains that it will retain control of the Strait of Hormuz, requiring vessels to seek permission and pay transit fees—a policy opposed by Washington and several regional states. Diplomatic talks between Iran and Oman continue in an effort to reach an arrangement, though fishermen report little awareness of progress, focusing instead on their immediate need to earn a living.

The Straits Times

• “It’s been about 20 days that we have been going back to sea,” — Mohammad-Amin

The Straits Times

• “We are definitely worried about it (the war) starting again... whatever happens in the end, I hope it is in the interest of the ordinary people,” — Abbaszadeh. While

The Straits Times