Ten civilian sailors have died due to the ongoing conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Tuesday.

Speaking at the White House, Rubio said the U.S. would continue to deploy its assets to defend freedom of navigation in the key thoroughfare.

“They’re isolated, they’re starving, they’re vulnerable and at least 10 sailors have died as a result, civilian sailors,” Rubio said, without providing additional details.

(Reporting by Steve Holland and Gram Slattery; editing by Michelle Nichols)