A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by the U.S. and the Islamic Republic of Iran, to immediately and to permanently end their conflict. The belligerents have agreed not to undertake, nor initiate, any military operation against each other, to refrain from the threat of force, to respect each other’s territorial integrity and to refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs.
The IMO Secretary General, Arsenio Dominguez, welcomed with the news of the agreement, adding that the deal is a crucial return to peace, dialogue, multilateralism, the safeguarding of the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation, and toward the restoration of maritime safety for ships and seafarers at the Strait of Hormuz.
International Chamber of Shipping general secretary, Thomas A. Kazakos declared: “This announcement comes as a relief to the 20,000 seafarers who have been caught in the middle of this war. Their safe departure from the region must be a top priority but will take time”.
Key terms of the deal for shipping:
- an end to the US naval blockade
- Iran to use “best efforts” for safe passage of commercial ships without charge via Hormuz for 60 days
- De-mining to start within 60 days
- Iran to start dialogue with Oman for future administration and maritime services in Hormuz
Further details will appear in our forthcoming mid-year Shipping Australia magazine.
