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Strait of Hormuz Sees Major Evacuation Effort as 11,000 Stranded Sailors Receive Long-Awaited Relief

Al JazeeraTuesday, June 23, 2026

In a significant development, the United Nations' maritime agency has embarked on a large-scale operation to evacuate over 11,000 sailors who have been stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. This move comes on the heels of the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding, which has brought a pause to the conflict in the region. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway, had been effectively blocked by Iran since February, resulting in vessels being trapped for months. The evacuation operation marks a major breakthrough for the stranded sailors, who have endured months of uncertainty and hardship. With the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding paving the way for a temporary ceasefire, the UN's maritime agency has seized the opportunity to launch this complex operation. As the evacuation efforts gain momentum, hopes are high that the stranded sailors will soon be reunited with their families and resume their journeys. The successful execution of this operation will not only bring relief to the sailors but also help to ease tensions in the region. The UN's initiative is a testament to the organization's commitment to protecting the welfare of those affected by conflict and promoting stability in critical waterways like the Strait of Hormuz.

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