International Operation Begins to Rescue Sailors Trapped in Strait of Hormuz

The United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) has officially started a large-scale operation to evacuate more than 11,000 sailors who have been stuck in the Strait of Hormuz. These workers have been unable to leave their vessels since February 28, when Iran effectively closed the waterway following the start of the war with Israel and the United States. According to the BBC, this mission is a key step toward restoring safety for civilian ships after months of difficulty for the crews involved.

Arsenio Dominguez, the head of the IMO, stated that the operation is being carried out with the support of Iran, Oman, the United States, and other coastal nations. He noted that the organization has received the necessary safety guarantees to ensure the ships can move through the area without danger. According to Al Jazeera, this plan has been under discussion for several months and will be completed in stages to manage the risk of accidents in the busy waterway.

Since the signing of a peace agreement last week, shipping activity has started to rise. Data from the shipping intelligence agency Kpler showed that at least 36 commercial vessels passed through the strait on Monday, which is the highest number of ships seen since the conflict began. Despite this progress, the situation remains complicated. Al Jazeera reports that while talks between the US and Iran have improved, it is not yet clear how long it will take for the strait to return to normal operations.

Even with the new peace deal, the United States and Iran continue to disagree on several important issues. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday to discuss the future of the region. During his visit, he firmly stated that the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway and that no country has the right to charge tolls or fees for ships passing through. According to the BBC, Rubio believes that other countries in the region agree with the American position that the strait must remain open and free for all.

In contrast, Iranian officials have suggested that they are looking into fees for maritime services. Tehran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has insisted that the strait will not return to the way it was before the war. Furthermore, DW reports that Iran and Oman are currently exploring the costs of managing the waterway, with Iran continuing to push for a "maritime service fee." These conflicting claims highlight the ongoing tension between the two nations, even as they work to implement the terms of their recent agreement.

Beyond the issues at sea, the broader political situation remains sensitive. The US and Iran are still arguing over the details of their Memorandum of Understanding—a formal document that outlines their agreement. A major point of contention involves nuclear inspections. While President Donald Trump claimed on social media that Iran has agreed to high-level inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iranian officials have stated that the agency will not be allowed to inspect nuclear sites that were bombed by the US and Israel last year. Additionally, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized during a visit to Pakistan that Iran will not negotiate regarding its defensive capabilities, such as ballistic missiles.

Domestic politics in the United States are also playing a role in these events. According to DW, the US Senate recently voted in favor of a resolution to limit the president’s power to take military action against Iran. While this measure is mostly symbolic and does not change the law, it shows that some members of the government are increasingly cautious about military involvement in the region. Meanwhile, in other parts of the Middle East, a separate, fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is facing challenges, as reports of violence in southern Lebanon continue to cause concern for international leaders.

As the evacuation of the 11,000 sailors continues, the world is watching to see if the peace agreement will hold. The IMO has promised to provide daily updates on the number of ships leaving the region safely. For now, the focus remains on the immediate safety of the seafarers who have spent months waiting for a way home. Whether the US and Iran can move past their disagreements over tolls and nuclear policy will determine the long-term stability of this critical global trade route.