Why has the UN paused plans to evacuate sailors from the Strait of Hormuz? | US-Israel war on Iran News
UN Suspends Evacuation Plan for Stranded Sailors in Strait of Hormuz Following Cargo Ship Attack
The United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) has suspended plans to evacuate over 11,000 sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was struck by a projectile while transiting the waterway. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated that some crews had already been evacuated, but the organization decided to pause further operations until “necessary safety guarantees” were established.
On Thursday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, a Royal Navy agency, reported that a cargo vessel was hit by an “unknown projectile” approximately 7.5 nautical miles southeast of Dahit, Oman. There were no casualties reported.
This incident comes in the wake of a recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the United States and Iran, which aimed to reduce hostilities and facilitate navigation through the strategic waterway. Iran had previously restricted passage in early March, following U.S. and Israeli attacks on February 28. In April, the U.S. implemented a naval blockade on vessels linked to Iran attempting to cross the strait.
While commercial traffic had resumed since the MoU, disagreements persist regarding the designated shipping routes and whether Iran will charge a toll. Oman and the IMO proposed a new shipping corridor that would partially bypass areas under Iran’s control, but Iran has rejected this plan, citing safety concerns due to ongoing demining operations.
The cargo vessel involved in Thursday’s incident, the Singapore-flagged Ever Lovely, had been navigating a route closer to Oman’s coastline, one that Iran opposes. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore reported that the vessel had completed its transit through the strait and that all 21 crew members were safe. The authority condemned the attack as “unprovoked” and a violation of international law.
Dominguez emphasized that the evacuation plan would remain on hold to ensure a coordinated approach to navigational safety. “The safety of seafarers remains paramount,” he said.
In response to the attack, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) criticized the newly proposed shipping routes and reiterated that navigation through the strait must be coordinated with Iranian authorities. Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, stated that safe passage cannot be assured for vessels operating outside of Iran’s jurisdiction.
Despite a recent agreement that allows commercial vessels to navigate the strait for 60 days without charge, there are several unresolved issues. The agreement mandates that mines laid during the conflict be cleared beforehand and facilitates discussions among Iran, Oman, and other Gulf states for future navigation management.
Although commercial shipping through the strait is gradually resuming, levels remain well below pre-conflict standards. Maritime analytics firm Kpler reported that 54 verified commercial and energy-related vessels transited the strait on Thursday, a decrease from 70 the previous day. The situation underscores ongoing uncertainties regarding maritime security in the region.
