Renewed hope for stranded seafarers near Hormuz after U.S.-Iran deal: IMO chief

LONDON, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Arsenio Dominguez on Monday welcomed the peace agreement reached between the United States and Iran, saying it would help advance plans to evacuate thousands of seafarers stranded near the Strait of Hormuz.

The IMO was working closely with member states and partners to implement the evacuation plan, Dominguez said in a statement provided to Xinhua.

However, he noted that implementation would require time to ensure that all necessary safety and security guarantees are in place.

Dominguez said the agreement signaled a crucial return to peace, dialogue, multilateralism and diplomacy. It marked an important step toward restoring safety for ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime corridor, and safeguarding the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation.

The IMO, he said, remains committed to maritime safety, the protection of seafarers, freedom of navigation and the continued free flow of global trade.

Dominguez also expressed his deepest sympathies to all victims of the conflict and paid particular tribute to innocent seafarers affected by the crisis and their families.

"Their courage and resilience in the face of prolonged uncertainty deserve the highest recognition," he said.

After the United States and Israel launched large-scale military operations against Iran on Feb. 28, tensions in and around the Strait of Hormuz escalated sharply. Shipping in the area faced restrictions imposed by different parties, while a series of attacks on commercial vessels disrupted maritime traffic.

According to IMO figures, 46 incidents involving ships were confirmed in and around the Strait of Hormuz and the wider region between late February and June 11, resulting in 14 seafarer fatalities.

The United States and Iran announced a memorandum of understanding on Sunday to end the war. U.S. President Donald Trump said on social media that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen following the signing of the memorandum on June 19. Enditem