International Maritime Organization: 6,000 sailors face the risks of escalation in the Strait of Haram

I estimated International Maritime Organization of the United Nations Wednesday About six thousand sailors are still stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, in a statement condemning the renewed confrontations in the region and The Strait of Hormuz.

The Secretary-General of the Organization, Arsenio Dominguez, said in a statement: "These attacks only serve to inflame the state of fear and psychological anxiety already experienced by about six thousand seafarers who are still stranded on ships unable to leave safely."

He advised various concerned parties to avoid "Their ships pass through this strait"

More talks

US President Donald Trump stated earlier Wednesday that the truce between the United States and Iran had ended, although he had left the door open for further talks, following renewed exchange of strikes following Iranian attacks that targeted ships in the vital Strait of Hormuz.

This strategic shipping lane remains a flashpoint in the conflict that began at the end of February with massive US-Israeli strikes. The scope is against Iran.

Imposing transit fees

Tehran insists on controlling the waterway, declaring its intention to impose transit fees and threatening to strike ships that deviate from the only route it allows.

The Iranian army launched attacks on at least three ships during the past few days, prompting the United States to launch massive strikes against Iranian targets on Tuesday, followed by retaliatory attacks launched by Iran on the Gulf states.
Domínguez said. "I condemn the attacks that took place over the past two days and targeted a number of ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz"adding that "Innocent sailors" They face "Serious danger".

Restraint

He called Dominguez "All concerned countries must exercise the utmost restraint, work to reduce the escalation without delay, and facilitate the safe departure of ships that have been stuck in the Gulf since the beginning of the crisis.".
He stressed the necessity "The safety of seafarers remains our top priority"

Days after the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran on June 17, which allowed the gradual resumption of traffic through the strait, the International Maritime Organization launched a plan to evacuate 11 sailors on board 600 ships stuck in the area, with this process taking a few weeks.

Two alternative paths

Arsenio Dominguez said at an IMO meeting held this week in London. "During the period of operation of the evacuation system, 136 ships with a total of 2,900 seafarers on board were successfully evacuated via two alternative routes."

The evacuation operations were carried out in coordination with local authorities via two separate routes, one close to the Iranian coast and the other close to the coast of the Sultanate of Oman, after the normally used route became impassable due to mines.

But Dominguez indicated that "This operation has since been suspended, as the safety of ships and sailors can no longer be guaranteed".

• For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter