A report has revealed that U.S. Merchant Marine cadets were left stranded in the Persian Gulf when the United States launched strikes on Iran on February 28. Around six cadets were aboard five U.S.-flagged vessels working closely with the military, unaware war had begun. The Pentagon reportedly gave no advance warning to ships or maritime authorities, leaving crews exposed as the Strait of Hormuz turned into a flashpoint. With no evacuation plan in place, cadets remained onboard for weeks before being extracted. The incident has sparked criticism of the Trump administration over planning failures and risks to American personnel.