New Delhi, March 19: The International Maritime Organization (IMO) held an extraordinary session of its council in Abu Dhabi, where a significant decision was made. The council strongly condemned Iran’s threats of attacks on vessels and disruptions to navigation in the Hormuz Strait.
This resolution received support from over 115 countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), highlighting global concerns over maritime security, international law, and the safety of this vital waterway for energy supplies.
The decision denounced Iran’s threats and attacks against ships, labeling its alleged attempts to close the Hormuz Strait as contrary to the IMO’s objectives and a serious threat to life and the marine environment.
The council also condemned Iran’s attacks against member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Jordan, declaring these actions violations of international law.
Presented by the UAE, this resolution was co-sponsored by the largest number of IMO member countries in its history, reflecting global condemnation of Iran’s actions and emphasizing the international community’s shared responsibility to ensure freedom of navigation in the Hormuz Strait.
Through this decision, the IMO council demanded that Iran immediately cease all actions or threats aimed at obstructing international navigation through the Hormuz Strait or interfering with commercial vessels in the area.
The resolution reaffirms the need to respect the navigation rights and freedoms of commercial vessels. The IMO council stressed the paramount importance of maintaining the safety and welfare of seafarers. It also reminded members of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), which states that any attempt to impede legitimate transit or navigation through international waterways like the Hormuz Strait poses a serious threat to international peace and security.
The announcement urges various IMO committees to consider the implications of this situation.
The UAE welcomed the council’s adoption of a proposal from Japan, which encourages the establishment of a “maritime security corridor” to facilitate the safe passage of seafarers through the Hormuz Strait.
Mohammed Khamis Saeed Alkaabi, the UAE’s permanent representative to the IMO, expressed support for the council’s announcement, stating, “The council and the entire international community have clearly demanded that Iran respect its obligations under international law and allow commercial vessels to transit the Hormuz Strait freely and safely. This strait is a critical international waterway for energy supply and the global economy.”
The UAE emphasizes that the Hormuz Strait is not only a crucial energy corridor, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas supply passes, but also a vital artery for global trade, including fertilizers, minerals, petrochemicals, and essential goods. Any disruption could have far-reaching effects on global markets, economic stability, and the cost of living worldwide.
The UAE reiterates that any attempt to use this strait as a means of economic pressure or to threaten international shipping is unacceptable, as it risks undermining both regional stability and the broader global economic system.
The UAE is fully committed to actively engaging on all relevant multilateral platforms to effectively address the impacts of Iran’s unlawful actions. The threats to maritime security and freedom of navigation significantly undermine regional and international stability and must be addressed urgently.
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