The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations agency, announced on Tuesday a large-scale plan to evacuate approximately 11,000 seafarers stranded near the Strait of Hormuz. The operation requires extensive coordination with regional governments and the maritime industry, according to IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez.
Operation Details and Safety Guarantees
Dominguez stated that the evacuation will be carried out in close cooperation with Iran, Oman, all other coastal states in the region, the United States, and the shipping sector. "We have secured the necessary safety guarantees and have thoroughly verified the conditions for safe navigation to support these operations," he said in a statement. The IMO also circulated navigation guidance provided by Oman for vessels transiting the strait, a critical global energy chokepoint that handled roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas trade before hostilities erupted.
Ongoing Volatility and Diplomatic Efforts
Despite the evacuation plan, volatility around the waterway persists. Iran and the United States signed an initial accord last week to halt the conflict, but Tehran subsequently announced a fresh closure of the strait following renewed clashes between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon. Uncertainty over the future management of the strategic channel remains prevalent, even as maritime traffic shows early signs of recovery.
Diplomatic engagements between Washington and Tehran are proceeding after talks in Switzerland initiated a 60-day window focused on achieving a permanent resolution. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during an official visit to Pakistan on Tuesday, cautioned that further progress depends on all parties honoring their commitments.
Dispute Over Nuclear Inspections
A separate diplomatic dispute has emerged regarding access to Iran's nuclear infrastructure. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei dismissed assertions by US Vice President JD Vance that Tehran had consented to permit United Nations inspectors to examine bombed nuclear sites. US President Donald Trump countered on social media, maintaining that Iran had conceded to long-term inspections, asserting that without such an agreement, "there would be no further negotiations!"
