US and Iran reach agreement on Gulf dispute after months of negotiations

Approximately 20,000 crew members have been stranded in the Strait of Hormuz for an extended period due to its closure. A tentative agreement has been reached to end the Iran war and reopen the waterway.

According to US President Donald Trump, the strait is expected to be reopened on Friday, pending Iran’s decision to lift its “toll booth” system and the US lifting its naval blockade of Iranian ports. International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Secretary-General Thomas Kazakos stated that this development has brought relief to maritime workers who have been affected by the conflict.

The Forward Seamen’s Union of India General Secretary Manoj Yadav also expressed support for the agreement, noting that thousands of Indian sailors are currently stranded in the region. The UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced plans to begin evacuating seafarers from the area, with IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez emphasizing the need for safety and security guarantees.

The ICS reported that approximately 500 ships are waiting to pass through the strait. Iran and the US have been involved in 46 known attacks on international shipping lines during the conflict, resulting in at least 14 seafarer fatalities. Additionally, sea mines have been laid in the strait, which has yet to be fully cleared by minesweepers.

Steven Jones, founder of the Seafarers Happiness Index, noted that while a ceasefire and reopening of the waterway are encouraging developments, it will take time for seafarers to feel safe in the area. He emphasized the importance of consistent peace, credible threat reduction, reliable communications, and uneventful transits before ships can be deemed acceptable to navigate the strait.

Source: Al Jazeera