Arabic version: خطط الأمم المتحدة لإجلاء آلاف البحارة العالقين في الخليج

The UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) is set to evacuate more than 11,000 sailors who have been stranded in the Gulf because of the US-Israel war against Iran. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez announced that the operation will be conducted in collaboration with Iran, Oman, the US, and other coastal states in the region. “We have secured the necessary safety guarantees and have thoroughly verified the conditions for safe navigation to support these operations,” he stated. According to BBC News, the evacuation hinges on maintaining open access to the Strait of Hormuz.

An interim deal was signed last week to end the conflict, but both the US and Iran continue to clash on details of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The US has said the MoU includes guarantees that Iran’s nuclear weapons programme will come under inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). However, Iran has contested this, stating that the UN watchdog cannot inspect sites that have been bombed by the US and Israel.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is currently touring Gulf nations, including the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain, to discuss the framework of the deal with Tehran. He emphasized that no country should impose tolls on the Strait of Hormuz, reinforcing that it is an international waterway governed by existing international law.

Dominguez expressed hope that the evacuation operation marks a significant step towards restoring maritime security and ending attacks on civilian shipping. He highlighted the hardships faced by sailors and the broader negative impact on global markets due to the conflict. As part of the evacuation plan, two temporary routes through the strait will be utilized, with individual vessels receiving further instructions.

Since the conflict escalated, the Strait of Hormuz has seen reduced maritime traffic, with current crossings remaining below pre-conflict averages. Recent reports indicate that while at least 172 vessels have navigated through the strait since its reopening, many tankers are still waiting to transit, reflecting the ongoing challenges in the region.