China News Service, Beijing, June 24. Comprehensive news: Iranian officials stated on the 23rd that the Strait of Hormuz has been fully opened to commercial ships. The International Maritime Organization announced on the same day that it would launch an evacuation plan for stranded seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz. Oman said it has coordinated with the International Maritime Organization to open temporary sea lanes for all ships and will maintain dialogue with Iran on the management mechanism of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Bahraini, said on the 23rd that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial ships without any charges. After 60 days, the specific situation will be determined by the outcome of negotiations between Iran and the United States. Oman and Iran issued a joint statement that day, reiterating their commitment to ensuring safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz. The two countries will maintain dialogue through a joint working group with a view to reaching an agreement on the future navigation management mechanism, related service arrangements and fee standards in the Strait of Hormuz to ensure that relevant arrangements comply with international standards. Both sides agreed to hold consultations with Gulf littoral states and other relevant parties. The statement emphasized that all arrangements involving the Strait of Hormuz must fully respect the sovereignty and sovereign rights enjoyed by the two countries as countries bordering the strait. The two sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining the Strait of Hormuz as a safe and open waterway for international shipping, and emphasized that they will strengthen cooperation to promote maritime security, freedom of navigation and regional stability. International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Dominguez issued a statement that day, announcing the launch of the evacuation plan for stranded seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz. The statement stated that it will work closely with regional coastal countries such as Iran and Oman, the United States, and the international shipping industry to evacuate more than 11,000 seafarers currently stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. The International Maritime Organization has obtained safety assurances and comprehensively verified safe navigation conditions in the relevant sea areas to ensure that the evacuation plan proceeds smoothly. Oman issued a statement in the early morning of the 24th, saying that Oman has coordinated with the International Maritime Organization to open a temporary sea lane for all ships. The relevant waterways will operate in accordance with the navigation coordinates announced by the International Maritime Organization and the competent authorities of Oman. Ships planning to use the waterways must coordinate with the International Maritime Organization in advance. Agence France-Presse and others quoted data from professional organizations as reporting that on the 22nd, at least 36 merchant ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz, and navigation volume has returned to nearly one-third of what it was before the outbreak of this round of Middle East conflicts. On the 23rd, two more stranded "supertankers" each carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz. According to reports, the actual number of merchant ships passing through may be even higher. (over)
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