UN Launches Massive Evacuation Operation for 11,000 sailors in Hormuz Amid US-Iran Tensions

New Delhi: After the agreement on ceasefire between America and Iran, the process of safely evacuating thousands of sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz has been started. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the maritime agency of the United Nations, has launched a special operation for the evacuation of more than 11 thousand sailors and ship workers. Due to several months of tension in the region and restrictions on maritime movement, a large number of ships were stuck at sea, due to which thousands of sea personnel were facing difficult conditions. 

How is this big campaign being run?

According to IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez, this campaign is being conducted in collaboration with Iran, Oman, other coastal countries of the Gulf region, the US and the global maritime industry. He said that before starting the operation, all safety related aspects have been reviewed in detail and necessary guarantees have been achieved for safe navigation. Officials believe that this will provide quick relief to the marine personnel stranded in the area.

Why was the Strait of Hormuz closed?

The Strait of Hormuz is counted among the world's busiest maritime trade routes, through which a large part of the global oil supply passes. Iran had banned the route on February 28 following increased military tensions in the region. Due to this, merchant ships of many countries were affected and uncertainty increased in the maritime transport sector. After the ceasefire agreement, the movement of ships is now gradually being restored.

Has a new dispute started regarding control?

Although the sea route has started reopening, differences have started emerging regarding its future. During a visit to the United Arab Emirates, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made it clear that under any final agreement, Iran would not be allowed to collect tolls or fees from international shipping. He says that Hormuz is an international waterway and economic control by any country over the ships passing through here cannot be accepted.

What is Iran's stance?

On the other hand, Iran's senior leader and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagheri Ghalibaf says that the conditions in the region will no longer be the same. He believes that in the future, new rules and systems will be necessary for security and maritime activities. Iran has indicated that it wants to maintain its role in the operation and security of this strategic waterway.

Where are the world's eyes set now?

Experts believe that the Strait of Hormuz will be one of the most important issues in the talks between Washington and Tehran in the coming days. Topics such as movement of ships, maritime security, transit rights and possible tariffs could become the focus of future talks. At present, the world's eyes are on whether maritime trade becomes completely normal after the ceasefire or not and what kind of agreement both sides make regarding the operation of this important waterway.