The critical role of the International Maritime Organization in securing navigation in the Strait of Hormuz amid Iranian disruptions
The Strait of Hormuz stands as one of the world’s most vital maritime and economic chokepoints. It handles approximately 20-21 million barrels of oil per day, making about 20-25% of global seaborne oil trade and roughly one-fifth of total world oil consumption. Significant volumes of liquefied natural gas and other commodities also transit this route, which primarily serves Asian markets, including China, which receives over a third of the crude passing through it. Any disruption here ripples through global energy markets, inflating prices, restricting supply chains, and threatening economic stability for importers and exporters alike.
In recent years, Iran has persistently targeted the Strait to advance its geopolitical objectives, directly undermining international commercial interests. Historical incidents include the 2019 limpet mine attacks on tankers, the 2021 drone strike on an Israeli-linked vessel, and repeated seizures of foreign tankers — such as Greek and Portuguese ships in 2022-2024 — often on pretexts of fuel smuggling. These actions escalated dramatically following U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran beginning on 28 February 2026. Iranian forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), responded with missile and drone attacks on merchant vessels, VHF warnings declaring restricted access, and physical interdictions. By March 2026, tanker traffic had collapsed by up to 90%, with at least 15-18 commercial ships attacked, several damaged or set ablaze (including the Thai-flagged Mayuree Naree), and thousands of vessels effectively stranded. Iran has conditioned passage on vessels being “non-hostile,” refusing transit to those linked to adversaries while claiming self-defense. These measures have trapped around 20,000 seafarers, disrupted oil exports from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE, the States of Kuwait and Qatar, and spiked global oil prices by over 60% in some estimates.
Such interference violates core principles of international maritime law, including freedom of navigation under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It endangers innocent civilian crews who are not parties to geopolitical conflicts and destabilizes the global economy by weaponizing a shared international waterway. The resulting insurance premiums have soared, alternative routing has proven logistically unfeasible for many tankers, and supply chains for energy, fertilizers, and chemicals face unprecedented bottlenecks.
At the forefront of efforts to counter these threats is the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN specialized agency responsible for the safety and security of international shipping. It sets global standards through conventions, like the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. It promotes best practices for risk mitigation, seafarer protection, and secure navigation, serving as a neutral forum for member states to coordinate responses without resorting to unilateral military escalation.
The IMO’s role has proven indispensable amid the 2026 Hormuz crisis. In early March, Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez issued urgent statements condemning attacks on civilian shipping, stressing that, “No attack on innocent seafarers or civilian shipping is ever justified.” On March 18-19, the IMO Council convened an extraordinary session, strongly condemning Iran’s threats, attacks, and purported closure of the Strait of Hormuz in line with UN Security Council resolutions. It called for the immediate establishment of a provisional “safe-passage framework” to facilitate the humanitarian evacuation of stranded merchant ships and crews in the Arabian Gulf region. The Council directed the Secretary-General to initiate negotiations with relevant parties for coordinated safe navigation, emphasizing voluntary peaceful measures rooted in international law. Industry stakeholders and the European Union have welcomed this initiative, underscoring the IMO’s unique position to bridge diplomatic divides where naval escorts alone cannot guarantee 100% safety or provide a sustainable long-term solution.
The IMO’s importance lies in its ability to uphold a rules based maritime order. While it lacks enforcement powers, its resolutions carry moral and practical weight, guiding flag states, shipowners, and insurers. It humanizes the crisis and mobilizes global support for de-escalation. Without IMO leadership, fragmented national responses could exacerbate risks, leading to accidental collisions, further attacks, or prolonged economic paralysis.
However, challenges persist. Iran’s insistence on coordinating any framework with its authorities highlights sovereignty sensitivities, while geopolitical tensions limit rapid implementation. The IMO must continue advocating for verifiable safe corridors, enhanced information-sharing on threats, and adherence to SOLAS obligations.
The IMO will remain the cornerstone for securing maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. As Iran continues its disruptive tactics — seizing vessels, launching attacks, and imposing selective blockades — the organization’s diplomatic framework offers the best path to protect global trade, safeguard lives at sea, and preserve the Strait as a conduit for peaceful commerce rather than a theater of conflict. Sustained international backing for IMO initiatives is essential to deter future interference and ensure energy security for billions worldwide. Only through collective adherence to maritime norms can the international community neutralize such targeted disruptions and restore stability to this critical artery of global trade.
Ali Ebrahim Faqeeh, Senior Analyst in Economic Studies Program (Derasat)
