NewzVille Desk
The U.N. has begun efforts to evacuate hundreds of ships from the Gulf in a tentative return to calm after a fragile peace deal.
The U.N. shipping agency said an evacuation plan to enable some 11,000 seafarers stuck aboard vessels in the Gulf to sail through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran effectively blocked during the war, was underway after the ceasefire deal between Washington and Tehran.
Speaking at the United Nations, Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric expressed relief for the stranded.
“The large-scale operation will be carried out in close cooperation with Iran, Oman, all other coastal states in the region, as well as the U.S. and the maritime industry.
The operation marks a significant step towards alleviating the humanitarian impact of the crisis on thousands of seafarers who have endured months of uncertainty, months of unrestricted movements and mounting welfare concerns.”
In another sign of de-escalation, Washington agreed to waive sanctions on Iran for 60 days from Monday after the first round of talks under the nascent peace deal agreed last week on ending more than three months of war. Trump also said unfrozen Iranian assets would be used to buy humanitarian supplies from the U.S.
