UN launches evacuation of 11,000 seafarers stranded in Strait of Hormuz

BASRA, Iraq — LONDON — The International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced the launch of an operation to evacuate more than 11,000 seafarers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz after its closure amid war in the Middle East. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said the evacuation is being carried out in close coordination with Iran, the Sultanate of Oman, other regional coastal states, the United States and the shipping industry. Dominguez said the necessary security guarantees had been secured and safe navigation conditions had been rigorously verified. According to the IMO, a plan is in place to evacuate the seafarers from between 500 and 600 ships trapped in the Persian Gulf, with contact established with the vessels to proceed with transit through the strait. The IMO statement incorporated directives from Oman regarding the passage of ships through the strait. Oman's state news agency reported that talks were held in Muscat between Omani and Iranian officials during a visit by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The two countries, as states bordering the Strait of Hormuz, reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring safe transit through the waterway in line with relevant international law. The two sides also addressed issues related to the strait under the terms of the "Islamabad" memorandum of understanding.