Thousands of Sailors Evacuated from Strait of Hormuz After US-Iran Peace Deal

The ordeal for over 11,000 sailors trapped in the Strait of Hormuz has ended, as evacuation efforts commence following a peace agreement between the United States and Iran. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations agency focused on maritime safety, announced the start of the evacuation. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez expressed relief, stating that the peace accord marks a decisive step toward restoring maritime security and ending unacceptable attacks on civilian navigation. He paid tribute to the 14 innocent sailors who tragically lost their lives during the three months of conflict, noting their dedication to global commerce would not be forgotten. The IMO will collaborate with Iran, Oman, and other regional coastal states, as well as the United States and the maritime sector, to execute the large-scale evacuation. The organization has secured the necessary safety guarantees for secure navigation. According to the IMO, the conflict resulted in 46 ships being damaged and 14 fatalities, primarily near the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is gradually returning to normal activity. Maritime traffic on June 22 reached a record high since late February, with 37 ships carrying raw materials, according to AFP, citing data from the global maritime traffic monitoring platform Kpler. Kpler reported sustained traffic on June 23, with 31 verified crossings of commercial and energy-related vessels. While the Strait appears operational under the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, Kpler noted that activity on "black routes" and uncertainty beyond the 60-day period suggest a cautious recovery.

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After months of trials and suffering for thousands of innocent sailors, and negative repercussions for the whole world, I am very pleased with the peace agreement concluded between the United States and Iran, which marks a decisive step towards restoring maritime security and ending unacceptable attacks on civilian navigation.