Currently, there are 19 Latvian sailors operating in the Persian Gulf region, as confirmed by the Ministry of Transport. The ministry also noted that at this time, there are no Latvian-flagged ships present in the Persian Gulf or its vicinity. As a precaution, responsible institutions are closely monitoring the situation's development, which has raised concerns due to regional tensions.

This week, the Ministry of Transport represented Latvia at an extraordinary session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council held in London, where involved parties discussed the situation in the Middle East and its implications for international shipping and seafarers. Over 120 member states were present at the session, including all 40 members of the IMO Council, along with observers such as Latvia.

During the meeting, the IMO Council strongly condemned threats and attacks on commercial vessels, as well as discussions regarding the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, referring to UN Security Council Resolution No. 2817. The Council emphasized that such events pose significant risks to shipping safety, the welfare of seafarers, and international trade's stability, highlighting the growing concerns for maritime security in the region.