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Merchant sailors in Gulf caught in war's crossfire

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Warner Poland
March 13, 2026

For each of the tankers currently stranded in the Strait of Hormuz amid the war on Iran, there are sailors and crew members caught in the middle of hostilities, leaving them and their families fearing for their safety.

A sailor aboard an LPG tanker in the Persian Gulf describes daily missile launches, nearby drone strikes and rising attacks on merchant ships. He fears the Strait of Hormuz may remain closed amid escalating tensions involving Iran. Despite soaring oil prices, he says crew members face danger with little compensation and uncertain war bonuses.

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