Iran Rejects IMO Evacuation Plan, Demands Ships Use Only Its Designated Routes in Strait of Hormuz

A new dispute has emerged over transit routes in the Strait of Hormuz, despite a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran that was intended to ease tensions. On Thursday, the Naval Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that all vessels transiting the strait must use only routes officially designated by Tehran, rejecting a plan announced by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that involved coordination with Oman.

The IMO had announced an evacuation plan for stranded ships and seafarers in the Persian Gulf, which referenced a route along Oman's coast. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated that the operation would be carried out in close cooperation with Iran, Oman, and other coastal states, the United States, and the maritime industry. However, Iran has now issued a disclaimer, asserting that the plan was introduced without prior consultation with Tehran.

The IRGC Navy described the newly announced route as "unacceptable and extremely dangerous," emphasizing that it had been introduced without the knowledge or coordination of Iranian authorities. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over control of the vital waterway, through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes.

According to the MoU signed between the U.S. and Iran, Iran was to conduct a dialogue with Oman over the future administration of the strait. However, Iran has indicated that no such talks have taken place. Both sides have unilaterally announced temporary arrangements for ship transit, covering a 60-day period.

The Oman plan did not refer to Iran by name and only indicated a route along its coast. It stated that the traditional central route, used by some 130 ships daily, was unsafe due to mines, and suggested the northern route—i.e., the Iranian route. But Iran insists that any deviation from its designated route is unacceptable.

Since the ceasefire announcement, ships had been transiting the northern route with Iran's permission and coordination with the IRGC Navy. Weeks later, some ships began using a southern route near Oman in coordination with the U.S. Navy. At the start of the conflict, an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 ships were stranded west of the strait. The IMO initially reported over 20,000 stranded seafarers, later reducing that figure to below 11,000. Industry sources estimate that at the time of the MoU, some 500–600 ships remained stranded.

Traffic across the strait has increased since the MoU was signed. Lloyd's List estimates that in the week of June 8–14, there were 33 transits. The following week, when the MoU was signed, transits rose to 125, including some 60 ships using the Oman route.

Experts remain cautiously optimistic about eventual cooperation between Iran and Oman. Colonel Rajeev Agarwal, a foreign policy expert, noted that Oman has historically maintained a neutral foreign policy and has been a peacemaker in the region. "The only trusted and stable relationship in the Gulf region for Iran is with Oman," said Agarwal. "Eventually they will work together."

A press conference by IMO Secretary-General Dominguez, scheduled for Thursday, was cancelled at the last minute. He was expected to address the disparities between the two versions of the transit plan.