UN Suspends Evacuation in the Strait of Hormuz After Attack

Paris – 27.06.2026: The United Nations have temporarily suspended the evacuation of ships and approximately 11,000 sailors from the Strait of Hormuz. This decision followed an attack on a vessel passing through the Gulf of Oman, a strategically important maritime corridor. According to Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the evacuation plan is being halted to reassess maritime safety and rule out further risks.

The evacuation plan was developed collaboratively between the IMO, the coastal states of Iran and Oman, the United States, and representatives of the international shipping industry. It was designed to guide ships safely out of the blocked area in the Persian Gulf using two temporary sea corridors. Since the outbreak of tensions and conflicts involving the US, Israel, and Iran, numerous commercial vessels have been stranded in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important waterways worldwide, as one third of global crude oil transport passes through here. A blockade or disruption in this area has significant repercussions on energy markets and the global economic situation. The evacuation was intended not only to enhance maritime safety for affected ships and sailors but also to stabilize this international trade route.

Despite the suspension of the evacuation plan, the international community continues to work toward a lasting security solution in the region. The United Nations emphasize the need for all involved states and organizations to collaborate closely to ensure the long-term freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and to prevent further escalation.

The situation remains tense. The exact timing for when evacuation efforts can resume is currently unclear. The UN announced that they will continuously monitor the security situation and implement new measures if necessary. In the meantime, many sailors remain stranded in the conflict zone, leading to significant logistical and humanitarian challenges.

These incidents in the Strait of Hormuz affect not only shipping traffic but also have consequences for the entire global economy, especially the energy markets. A swift resolution to the crisis is critical to securing trade stability and ensuring crude oil supply.

The United Nations stress that protecting sailors is the highest priority. All parties are working closely together to enable a safe and efficient evacuation. The international community remains united in this critical situation and is striving for a rapid and effective solution.