The UN is preparing a plan to evacuate ships stranded off the Strait of Hormuz

The United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) is developing an evacuation plan for hundreds of ships stranded in the Persian Gulf since the start of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran more than seven weeks ago. The plan calls for the evacuation of approximately 2,000 ships and the rescue of 20,000 seafarers.

This was reported by Bloomberg.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez noted that implementation of the plan will begin only if there is a clear de-escalation of the conflict. The order in which ships leave will be determined by the length of time crews have been trapped in the blockade and other technical factors.

Ships will pass through according to a traffic separation scheme approved back in 1968. In recent weeks, Iran has introduced its own passage system near its coast, which in some cases requires payment for transit.

Currently, the IMO is coordinating efforts with coastal states, including Iran and Oman, as well as with the ships’ flag states. The primary goal remains the safety of seafarers, who are currently in a high-risk zone due to the threat of shelling and mines.

Previous attempts to resume traffic last weekend ended with Iranian forces firing on merchant ships. As a result, shipping through the strategically important strait has effectively come to a halt, and transit has been reduced to a minimum for the entire duration of the war.

The situation is complicated by the ongoing blockade of Iranian ports by the U.S. Navy. International observers emphasize the need to establish humanitarian corridors to provide crews with food and medicine.

Shippers are being warned about fraudulent schemes offering safe passage in exchange for cryptocurrency. The IMO urges companies to follow official recommendations and wait for the completion of an international evacuation plan.

The European Union is preparing to expand the criteria for its sanctions regime against Iran to enable the punishment of individuals and organizations responsible for obstructing freedom of navigation.

Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has once again come to a near standstill after a brief resumption. Tensions in the region are rising, and ships are not risking entering the danger zone. Against this backdrop, the U.S. is stepping up pressure on Iranian vessels.

Official Tehran has refused to participate in the second round of peace talks with the United States, which were to take place in Islamabad. 

Iran rejected Trump’s claims regarding the transfer of uranium to the U.S. and accused him of manipulation.