The International Maritime Organization has announced plans to evacuate more than 11,000 sailors stranded in the Gulf, a consequence of tensions between the United States and Iran that escalated in February. The large‑scale operation will run with the cooperation of Iran, Oman, the United States and other coastal states in the region.
Secretary‑General Arsenio Domínguez said the mission would be carried out once safety guarantees were secured and a thorough verification of safe navigation conditions was completed. The interim deal, signed last week, still faces disagreement over details in the memorandum of understanding.
The U.S. claims the MoU creates an avenue for international atomic energy agency inspectors to access Iran’s nuclear sites. Meanwhile, Iran has declared that it will not allow the U.S. and Israel to inspect facilities bombed during the conflict, and has insisted that any talks will today remain focused on defensive capabilities.
In a statement to reporters on the flight to Abu Dhabi, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that no country may impose tolls or fees on the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway recognized as international under global law. He said the international community has agreed on this principle and that any change would threaten maritime freedom.
Safety of the evacuation relies on the Strait remaining open. Domínguez called the agreement a decisive step toward ending attacks on civilian shipping and restoring maritime security. He also said the IMO will publish daily reports on the number of ships that have departed the region safely.
After Iran closed the Strait on 28 February, oil prices spiked over $100 per barrel of Brent crude, and shipments of fuel and fertilizers were severely curtailed. The closure also pushed maritime traffic through alternative routes, leaving many vessels stranded inside the strait.
Data from maritime intelligence firm Kpler show that since the strait re‑opened, a total of 172 vessels have crossed, with 42 ships passing through on a Saturday alone. This figure remains below the pre‑conflict average of about 138 daily crossings. More than 200 tankers appear to be awaiting clearance inside the strait.
The IMO has identified two temporary routes that ships can use, and will coordinate with maritime authorities to provide individual instructions to vessels. These routes are intended to reduce the risk of additional conflicts as the region moves toward longer‑term stability.
