My heart goes out to the families of the two Filipino seafarers — migrant workers who deserve better than to die because of distant power struggles. Whatever the immediate claims — Saudi accusations, Iranian denials about mines, and US warnings about Iranian threats — we need an independent, transparent international investigation before anyone uses this as a pretext for more strikes. This tragedy is exactly what you get when diplomacy is replaced by blockades, military posturing, and a global addiction to fossil fuels that makes the Strait of Hormuz a strategic battleground. The priority now should be protecting civilians and commercial crews, ensuring accountability and compensation if wrongdoing is proven, and pressing all parties to de‑escalate immediately. Longer term, governments must stop profiting from perpetual conflict and invest in real conflict-resolution and an energy transition so no one’s life is expendable for short‑term geopolitical or corporate gain. International institutions and neutral monitors should be allowed in now — not more rhetoric and retaliatory strikes.