Strait of Hormuz tensions flare as Iran tightens grip over shipping traffic

Global concerns are rising over the fate of ships and crews trapped in the Strait of Hormuz amid the intensifying Middle East conflict, as reports spread that Iran is rolling out screening processes and steep transit fees for vessels using the waterway.The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) called for the establishment of a “safe maritime framework” to ensure the swift evacuation of merchant ships confined within the Persian Gulf, after holding a special session on the Middle East situation on Thursday.About 20,000 seafarers and 2,000 vessels are currently stuck in the Gulf, according to the IMO.“I am ready to start working immediately in negotiations to establish a humanitarian corridor to evacuate all vessels and seafarers trapped,” said Arsenio Dominguez, the IMO’s secretary general.However, when a representative from the Cook Islands asked about the specific conditions required for vessels to be extracted via a secure corridor, the Iranian delegation at the meeting declined to provide a response.Iran distanced itself from the IMO’s declaration on Thursday, arguing that the statement failed to address the US and Israeli attacks on Iran. China expressed support for the proposed security corridor in principle, while stressing the need for further clarification on how it would be implemented.