The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations agency, has launched a large-scale operation to safely move 11,000 seafarers and ships stranded in the Gulf region (Persian Gulf) due to the war between the United States and Iran through the Strait of Hormuz.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said in a statement on June 23 (local time) that "this large-scale operation will be carried out in close cooperation with all coastal states in the region, including Iran and Oman, as well as the United States and the maritime industry."

Dominguez added, "We have secured the necessary safety guarantees and thoroughly verified the safe navigation conditions to support such an operation," emphasizing, "We remain committed to ensuring the safety of seafarers and the continuity of global trade."

Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz by threatening or attacking vessels after war broke out in late February this year following an invasion by the United States and Israel.

The United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end the war on June 17 and agreed to make efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to its pre-war state.

A spokesperson for the IMO, a specialized agency of the United Nations, told Reuters, "We have begun notifying vessels to start moving."

The spokesperson did not disclose a detailed schedule.

The IMO shared a notice sent by Oman to vessels, according to which two temporary routes through the Strait of Hormuz will be used for the evacuation plan, with further instructions to be delivered to each vessel via individual contact.

Reuters reported, citing Omani state media, that Oman coordinated with the IMO to provide a temporary maritime corridor for vessels wishing to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Vessels wishing to use the temporary routes must consult with the IMO in advance based on coordinates published by the IMO and Omani authorities.

The measure aims to guarantee freedom of navigation without imposing transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz, an international waterway considered a strategic chokepoint under international law.

According to shipping data platform Kpler, at least 36 merchant vessels transited through the Strait of Hormuz on June 22, marking the highest number since the outbreak of the war on February 28.

"We welcome the peace agreement between the United States and Iran after the hardships endured by innocent seafarers and the adverse impacts felt globally," Dominguez said. "This is a decisive step toward restoring maritime security and ending unacceptable attacks on civilian shipping."

Dominguez also expressed his condolences, saying, "We honor the 14 innocent seafarers who tragically lost their lives during this war."

Although the Strait of Hormuz has reopened and traffic is increasing following the end-of-war agreement between the United States and Iran, a war of nerves over control continues between the two sides.

Iran and Oman announced in a joint statement on the same day that they are jointly reviewing the imposition of transit service fees in the Strait of Hormuz.

Under the end-of-war MOU, Iran will keep the Strait of Hormuz open free of charge for an initial 60 days, but it is likely to attempt to collect transit fees under various pretexts once this period ends.

Iran strongly intends to maintain control, claiming the Strait of Hormuz is subject to its sovereignty.

The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz proved to be a powerful deterrent and negotiating leverage for Iran during the war.

The United States counters this by arguing that freedom of navigation must be guaranteed in the Strait of Hormuz, citing the right of transit passage under international law regarding international waterways.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the same day to begin a tour of Gulf nations, expressed opposition to Iran's attempt to impose transit fees, stating, "No country can impose tolls or fees on international waterways."