Indian Sailors Waiting for a Way Home

A group of Indian seafarers has been stuck off the coast of Iran for two weeks. They are at Bandar Abbas, a busy port on the Persian Gulf. The area is dangerous because drones and missiles have set nearby ships on fire. One sailor, Ambuj, is 26 years old and has not seen his family for six months. He told a phone call that he is surrounded by more than 50 other vessels. The company that hired him has put the crew on hold, and they are waiting for a safe path. The trouble began when the captain got a warning from Iran’s military that crossing the Strait of Hormuz could be risky. The crew tried to get clearance, but it never came. Now they fear they might stay stranded for weeks or even months.India supplies about 300, 000 sailors worldwide. This is the third‑largest group of workers in global shipping. The situation has become a big issue back home, and Delhi is talking with Iranian officials for help. Some crew members saw drones and fighter jets overhead. They were worried because their internet service was cut off in early March. After a brief pause, they could restart the satellite connection on March 6. The sailors can’t share their exact location for safety. One crewman said he could barely sleep because of the constant anxiety about spotting aircraft. Iran has recently allowed two Indian‑flagged gas carriers to pass through the strait. The Iranian ambassador to India confirmed that Indian ships can move safely.