UN to Facilitate Evacuation of Stranded Seafarers
The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations agency, has announced plans to evacuate more than 11,000 sailors who have been stranded in the Gulf region. This large-scale operation is a direct consequence of the recent conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez confirmed that the evacuation would proceed with the cooperation of Iran, Oman, the U.S., other regional coastal states, and the broader maritime industry. Dominguez stated that the necessary safety guarantees and conditions for secure navigation have been thoroughly verified to support these operations.
Disagreements Persist Despite Interim Agreement
An interim deal was reached last week aimed at de-escalating the conflict. However, significant disagreements persist between the U.S. and Iran regarding the specifics of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). A key point of contention revolves around inspections of Iran's nuclear program.
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on social media that Iran had agreed to extensive nuclear inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Conversely, Iran stated that the UN watchdog would not be permitted to inspect nuclear sites that were targeted by U.S. and Israeli forces last year. A U.S. official, responding to Iran's statement, suggested that Iran's public stance was for domestic consumption, while privately agreeing to robust IAEA inspections of its nuclear weapons program remnants.
Further complicating matters, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian asserted during a visit to Pakistan that Iran would never negotiate its defensive capabilities under any circumstances.
Rubio Warns Against Strait of Hormuz Tolls
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commenced a tour of Gulf nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain, to discuss the deal with Tehran. During his visit, Rubio issued a warning against any country imposing tolls on the Strait of Hormuz, an international waterway where Iran has reportedly sought to charge passing ships.
Rubio emphasized that international law prohibits such tolls on international waterways, expressing confidence that other countries in the region would concur with this position. The successful evacuation of stranded sailors is dependent on the Strait of Hormuz remaining open and accessible.
Secretary-General Dominguez welcomed the peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran, calling it a "decisive step towards restoring maritime security and bringing to an end the unacceptable attacks against civilian shipping." He acknowledged the months of hardship endured by thousands of seafarers and the global impact.
The IMO's evacuation plan includes the potential use of two temporary routes through the strait, with individual vessels receiving specific instructions. The organization will provide daily reports on the safe departure of ships from the region.
Strait Reopening and Maritime Traffic
The Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed after attacks against Iran began on February 28, leading to a surge in global oil prices, with Brent crude exceeding $100 per barrel. The closure also severely impacted shipments of energy and vital commodities like fertilizer.
Since the reopening of the strait, maritime intelligence firm Kpler data indicates that at least 172 vessels have transited through, including 42 ships on a single day. However, the current number of crossings, since the deal was signed on June 17, remains significantly below the pre-conflict average of approximately 138 crossings per day. Ship-tracking data analyzed on Tuesday revealed over 200 tankers awaiting passage inside the strait.
Source: UN says it will evacuate sailors stranded in Strait of Hormuz, as Rubio warns against tolls