UN prepares evacuation of 11,000 sailors stranded in Strait of Hormuz
The United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) has announced plans for a major evacuation operation to rescue more than 11,000 sailors stranded in the Gulf following months of disruption caused by the US-Israel war against Iran. Arsenio Dominguez, IMO Secretary-General said the operation would be carried out in coordination with Iran, Oman, the United States, other regional coastal states and shipping industry stakeholders after extensive efforts to secure safe navigation guarantees.
The evacuation comes despite an interim agreement signed last week to end the conflict. Tensions remain over the implementation of the memorandum of understanding that halted hostilities, particularly regarding Iran’s nuclear programme. Donald Trump, US President insisted Tehran had agreed to extensive inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), describing them as necessary to ensure “nuclear honesty”.
Iranian officials, however, have disputed suggestions that inspectors would be granted access to certain facilities damaged during previous US and Israeli strikes.
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