The United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (International Maritime Organization) has announced a large-scale evacuation plan for more than 11,000 sailors stranded in the Gulf region following months of disruption linked to tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
The operation is expected to restore safe movement of ships through one of the world’s most strategic shipping routes, the Strait of Hormuz.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said the evacuation will be carried out in cooperation with Iran, Oman, the United States, other coastal states, and the global maritime industry.
He noted that safety guarantees have been secured and technical assessments completed to ensure vessels can pass safely through the strait, which handles a significant share of global oil and cargo shipments.
The move comes after an interim understanding between Washington and Tehran aimed at reducing tensions in the region. However, both sides remain divided on key details of the agreement, especially around nuclear inspections and security commitments.
The United States has maintained that the deal includes provisions allowing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect Iran’s nuclear programme. US President Donald Trump said Iran had agreed to “highest level nuclear inspections long into the future,” describing it as a step to ensure transparency.
Iran has strongly disputed parts of these claims. President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran will not negotiate its defensive capabilities under any circumstances and insisted that the country’s security decisions remain sovereign.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif clarified that ballistic missile issues were not part of the discussions between Iran and the United States, saying there was no ambiguity in the agreement on that point.
On the diplomatic front, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has begun a tour of Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain, to discuss implementation of the agreement and broader regional security.
Rubio warned that no country is allowed to impose tolls or fees on the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that it is an international waterway governed by international law.
“It’s an international waterway. No country is allowed to charge tolls or fees on an international waterway,” he said in Abu Dhabi, adding that countries in the region broadly support this position.
According to the IMO, the evacuation plan will use temporary safe shipping routes through the strait. Ships will receive direct instructions from maritime authorities, while Oman has issued guidance to support safe navigation.
The organization will also release daily updates on the number of vessels leaving the area safely.
Shipping data shows that at least 172 vessels have already passed through the reopened Strait of Hormuz, including dozens in a single day, indicating gradual improvement in maritime movement after weeks of disruption.
IMO Secretary-General Dominguez described the initiative as a major step toward restoring maritime safety and protecting civilian shipping. He said the operation aims to end the hardship faced by thousands of seafarers and reduce risks to global trade.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical global energy route, and officials warn that stability in the region is still fragile.
Continued cooperation between involved countries is seen as key to ensuring the safe evacuation of sailors and the full reopening of maritime traffic.
