UN Launches Rescue Mission for 11,000 Sailors Trapped in Hormuz as US Rejects Iran Toll Plans
The United Nations is preparing one of the largest maritime evacuation operations in recent history after more than 11,000 sailors aboard hundreds of vessels became stranded in and around the Strait of Hormuz during months of conflict and disruption in the Gulf. The operation is being coordinated by the UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO), which says ships will be evacuated in phases through specially designated routes because traditional shipping lanes remain unsafe.
The rescue effort comes despite a fragile US-Iran ceasefire, as mines, navigation hazards and security concerns continue to threaten one of the world's most important energy chokepoints. IMO officials say they have secured safety guarantees from relevant parties and will assign vessels specific transit windows to reduce risks during the evacuation.
At the same time, a new diplomatic dispute is emerging over the future of the Strait of Hormuz. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that Washington will not accept any attempt by Iran to impose tolls or transit fees on ships using the strategic waterway. Rubio said the strait is an international passage and that freedom of navigation must remain protected under international law.
The warning follows discussions between Iran and Oman on the future administration of Hormuz, including possible charges linked to maritime services. While Tehran and Muscat have avoided explicitly calling them "tolls," the proposal has alarmed Western governments and the global shipping industry.
Nearly one-fifth of the world's seaborne oil trade normally passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Even after the ceasefire, shipping traffic remains far below normal levels, insurers remain cautious and many companies are waiting for security conditions to improve before fully resuming operations.