Exclusive images from Al Arabiya/Al Hadath showed Saudi tugboats operating in Gulf waters to support ships unable to cross the Strait of Hormuz due to fears of Iranian Revolutionary Guard attacks.

Reporters confirmed the tugboats are delivering technical and logistical support, fuel supplies, and medical assistance for crews in need of treatment or repatriation.

Iranian state TV reported that the Revolutionary Guard is allowing limited passage under “legal protocols,” though Tehran has effectively closed the strait since the war with Israel and the U.S. began.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy and shipping, remains a focal point in negotiations. While Iran insists on controlling traffic even post-conflict, the U.S. and other nations stress the need for free navigation.

Currently, around 2,000 ships are stranded, leaving more than 20,000 sailors facing shortages of supplies and growing risks. The International Maritime Organization warned that crews are stuck at sea, unable to advance or retreat, as the crisis drags on since February 28.