IMO launches evacuation of 11,000 seafarers from Strait of Hormuz following U.S.-Iran peace agreement

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced on June 23, 2026, a comprehensive evacuation plan for more than 11,000 seafarers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated that the operation will be conducted in close cooperation with Iran, Oman, the United States, other regional coastal states, and the maritime industry. The IMO has secured necessary safety guarantees and verified safe navigation conditions to support the large-scale operation, which represents a critical step toward restoring maritime security and ending attacks on civilian shipping.

The evacuation will proceed through a phased approach using two temporary maritime routes designated through the Strait of Hormuz. According to Oman's maritime authority, the gradual and orderly evacuation is necessary due to high collision risks in the congested waterway. Individual vessels will be contacted and provided specific instructions for departure. The IMO plans to issue daily reports detailing the number of ships safely departing the region. As of the announcement, approximately 200 oil tankers remained in the strait awaiting passage, with only 172 vessels having transited since the strait reopened on June 18.

The peace agreement followed months of conflict that caused significant hardship for thousands of seafarers and disrupted global trade, including energy and fertilizer shipments. The crisis began in late February when attacks on shipping escalated, prompting Iran to effectively close the strait and driving Brent crude oil prices above $100 per barrel. IMO Secretary-General Dominguez paid tribute to 14 seafarers who lost their lives during the conflict, reaffirming the organization's commitment to maritime safety and the continuity of global commerce.

However, implementation of the memorandum remains contentious. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned during a Gulf region visit that no country has the right to impose tolls or fees on international waterways, directly challenging Iran's stated intention to charge maritime service fees on transiting vessels. Iran's UN mission countered that the strait is fully open with no fees being charged. Additionally, disputes have emerged over nuclear provisions, with U.S. President Trump claiming Iran agreed to the highest level of inspections indefinitely, while Iranian officials denied plans to allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspections of certain facilities. Pakistan's Prime Minister stated the memorandum does not address Iran's ballistic missile program.