The International Maritime Organization stated on the 15th that the Memorandum of Understanding text finalised between Iran and the United States to "end the war negotiations" will enable the IMO to advance its plans to rescue merchant vessels and seafarers from the Persian Gulf.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said this marks an important return to peace, dialogue, multilateralism, and diplomacy, particularly representing a crucial step toward restoring the safety of seafarers and vessels in this vital maritime corridor and upholding the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation.

The agreement allows the IMO to proceed with its plan to evacuate 20,000 seafarers and hundreds of merchant vessels from the region.

According to the IMO, the organisation is working closely with Member States and partners to ensure the plan is implemented safely and effectively. However, the execution of the plan will take time to ensure all necessary safety and security measures are in place.

Over recent weeks, Mr. Dominguez has been consistently critical of certain attempts to break the impasse, such as the "covert" escort missions conducted by the United States in the Strait of Hormuz. He has argued that such transits lack "credible safety guarantees" and stressed that "no commercial or operational consideration can justify exposing seafarers to such high risks."

Thomas Kazakos, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping, stated that the Memorandum of Understanding brings a sigh of relief to the 20,000 seafarers trapped in this conflict. He added: "There are approximately 500 vessels that need to transit the Strait of Hormuz to exit the region, and this will require coordination among all parties."

"Now that we are moving toward peace, it is essential to ensure the durable restoration of the right of vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz unimpeded and without the payment of tolls or submission to other clearance mechanisms."