UN starts evacuating 11,000 stranded sailors from Strait of Hormuz

What Happened

Following the US-Israel war on Iran that began on February 28 and Tehran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) began evacuating more than 11,000 stranded sailors. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated the operation is conducted 'in close cooperation with Iran, Oman, all other coastal states in the region, the United States and the maritime industry,' with necessary safety guarantees verified. The operation follows a memorandum of understanding signed by the US and Iran to end the war. Shipping intelligence firm Kpler reported that at least 36 commercial vessels passed through the strait on Monday, a record since the war's start. Oman's Defence Ministry said the evacuation would be phased due to elevated collision risks. Denmark announced it would join a maritime mission led by France and Britain to help reopen the waterway. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in the UAE, reiterated that Iran would not be allowed to charge tolls, calling it an international waterway. Tehran's top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, insisted the strait 'will never return' to its pre-war status despite the establishment of communication lines.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The evacuation addresses a humanitarian crisis at a critical global oil transit chokepoint, demonstrating international cooperation even amid fragile US-Iran truce. The surge in shipping traffic and the IMO-led mission signal tentative de-escalation, but Tehran's insistence on a changed strait status quo and lingering toll threats could reignite tensions if final negotiations stall.

Watch For

Phased evacuation completion and any maritime incidents; outcomes of US-Iran technical talks on strait transit mechanisms; whether Tehran attempts to impose tolls; Denmark's operational integration into the French-British mission; and any broader peace deal developments.