Iranian fishermen venture back to Hormuz despite fears of new fighting

Since the ceasefire on April 8, the waters around Bandar Abbas have seen sporadic clashes between Iran and the US, despite the ongoing fighting. Fisherman Mohammad-Amin, 47, has returned to the sea after a 47-year-long routine of fishing, but now faces the threat of his boat being destroyed. Over 2,000 fishermen from the southern Hormozgan province lost their fishing equipment, and hundreds of fishing boats were damaged.

Mohammad-Amin, along with others, says they could not wait any longer as they were facing hunger with three children to support. The waterfront in Bandar Abbas, where the fishermen moor their boats, has been repeatedly hit during the fighting. The wreckage of damaged ships has increased the frequency of net damage since the conflict began.

Bagher Abbaszadeh, whose boat supports not only his family but also four others, fears losing his boat if it is hit. The conflict over the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran insists it will retain control of, continues to cause uncertainty among the fishermen, who are worried about any potential resumption of the war.