IMO begins evacuating 11,000 stranded sailors in Hormuz

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has begun evacuating more than 11,000 sailors from ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf after the route was paralyzed for months by the conflict. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said the large-scale operation is being carried out with Iran, Oman, other coastal states, the United States and the maritime industry. IMO said safety assurances had been secured and navigation conditions checked before the first wave of ships moved. Oman stressed the evacuation must proceed in stages and under control because collision risks remain high. The move follows a remote memorandum signed by Iran and the U.S. on 18 June to end the military conflict, lift the naval blockade and restore shipping in the strait.