Almost 100 Dutch ships are stuck in the Persian Gulf because of the war between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other, Dutch ship owners association KVNR has told the Financieele Dagblad.

The vessels are mainly operated by dredging companies such as Van Oord and Boskalis, along with other offshore firms active in the region.

“The safety of our colleagues in the region and on board our ships is our top priority and we are in daily contact with them,” a Van Oord spokesman told the paper. “Based on the most recent information, our people are currently safe and we hope the situation does not escalate further.”

After fighting broke out on Saturday, several attacks were carried out near the Strait of Hormuz on American and British tankers. Although the ships targeted have US and British links, this has made it virtually impossible for Dutch vessels to leave the area, a KVNR spokesman said.

“Various scenarios are on the table, but it is a difficult situation,” the spokesman said.

Airlines

Airspace over Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates has been closed, flights have been cancelled and thousands of people have been stranded since the fighting broke out.

The Dutch government said on Monday that it is too dangerous to attempt to evacuate nationals who wish to return home.

The foreign affairs ministry said it had received 1,000 requests for information from people in countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar who are unable to leave because flights have been cancelled.