Hundreds of tankers and cargo ships have been blocked from leaving the Strait of Hormuz due to Iran's refusal to allow them to do so.
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Ambuz, 26, is an Indian national who is part of the crew of a ship that has been stuck in the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas for two weeks. He is closely watching the smoke from drones and missiles. About 23,000 Indians like Ambuz, who work in businesses, ports or related work in the Persian Gulf and surrounding ports, are affected by the war between Iran and the US-Israeli conflict.
A large number of tankers and cargo ships have not been able to leave the Strait of Hormuz due to Iran's refusal to allow them. Three Indian crew members have already died in Iranian attacks in the area. One is missing.
This has caused great concern in India. New Delhi has said that it is coordinating with agencies of various countries, including Iran, to ensure their safety.
"We know how dangerous it is to cross the Strait of Hormuz without a naval escort or without permission," Ambuz said by phone. According to Ambuz, 15 members of the crew have lost their jobs. But flights from Tehran to India are currently suspended.
They plan to safely reach another port in West Asia and then fly to India. However, the Iranian government must give permission for the ship to reach another port.
“If permission is granted to take the ship to West Asia or a nearby country, we will catch a flight home from there as soon as possible,” he said.
In early March, Ambuz’s ship was heading to a Southeast Asian country. However, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned the ship’s captain via wireless that there would be consequences if they crossed the Strait of Hormuz without permission. As a result, they could not proceed.
They are hoping for a safe passage. However, as the war drags on, they risk being stuck in the port for weeks.
India is the world's third-largest supplier of workers to commercial ships. According to government figures, more than 300,000 Indian workers are employed on commercial ships around the world.
Like Ambuz and his colleagues, stranded in the Strait of Hormuz by the war, thousands of Indian families are now in touch with their loved ones only through telephone and text messages.
M Kant, the captain of the ship heading to India, said his crew members saw drones and fighter jets flying overhead along the way. He said the crew members have been terrified since Iranian authorities shut down Starlink's internet in March.
"We heard sirens, we saw a ship on fire in the distance and we also received a threatening message over the wireless," he said of the harrowing journey.
He said he was finally able to contact his family regularly after Starlink was allowed to restart on March 6. But every time they hear a drone or fighter jet, their hearts still beat faster.
Kanta said that Indian and Iranian officials and his company have instructed not to disclose the identity or location of the ship. He also said that the decision may have been taken for security reasons.
Another crew member said that he saw a drone attack on a ship approaching the Strait of Hormuz. He said that the ship was only a few miles from Hormuz when it was attacked.
“We joke with each other about what kind of plane, jet or drone we see in the sky. But I can’t sleep, there is a lot of tension,” he said.
Meanwhile, Iran has allowed two Indian-flagged ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz on March 13. These ships were carrying liquefied petroleum gas. Iranian Ambassador to New Delhi Mohammad Fathali has also assured that the Indian ship will be given safe passage. The crew members are hoping to return home safely.
