United Nations Prepares to Rescue Mariners Stranded in the Strait of Hormuz

The United Nations is preparing to rescue over 11,000 mariners stranded in the Gulf region due to the conflict initiated by the United States and Israel against Iran. The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a UN agency, announced that a large-scale rescue operation will be conducted in cooperation with Iran, Oman, the United States, other coastal nations, and maritime industries. He confirmed that the necessary security arrangements have been established for this effort.

Last week, the war in the Middle East was halted following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran. However, differences remain regarding the details of the interim agreement. The US claims that the understanding includes assurances that Iran’s nuclear program will be monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump posted on social media stating that “Iran has fully and permanently accepted high-level nuclear inspections.”

However, shortly before Trump’s post, Iran had stated that UN agencies were unable to inspect nuclear sites bombed last year by the US and Israel. In response, a US official asserted that Iran has accepted IAEA surveillance and suggested that Iranian officials’ comments might be intended for domestic audiences only. On Tuesday, during a visit to Pakistan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian made it clear that Iran will not negotiate under any circumstances or with anyone about its defense capabilities.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif held a joint press conference with Pezeshkian, where he stated there had been no discussions between the US and Iran regarding ballistic missiles and that the topic was not on the agenda. Sharif, who mediated the talks, said that the memorandum does not mention this issue. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has begun a tour of Gulf countries, starting in the United Arab Emirates. During the visit that started Tuesday, he plans to continue to Kuwait and Bahrain, both hosting US military bases. Rubio is expected to discuss the agreement with Tehran during his trip.

Amidst Iran attempting to impose fees on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, Rubio warned that no country is permitted to levy charges in this waterway. “This is an international waterway. No country may impose fees here. This is international law,” he said upon arriving in the UAE. “We do not need to persuade anyone on this matter. We believe all regional nations agree with us.” The rescue of stranded mariners also hinges on keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. The IMO Secretary-General described this operation as “a significant step toward restoring maritime security and ending unacceptable attacks on civilian vessels.” According to the IMO’s rescue plan, two temporary routes within the Strait of Hormuz will be used. Ships will be informed of all necessary instructions. After attacks on Iran on February 28 led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, many mariners were stranded.