GENEVA. The United Nations today completed the evacuation of civilian sailors from three British-flagged merchant vessels caught in the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that carries nearly a fifth of the world’s oil. The operation, coordinated between the International Maritime Organization and the Royal Navy, came hours after a warning from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that any attempt by Iran to levy tolls on commercial shipping would be met with “decisive action.”
The evacuated personnel, numbering 47, were transferred to a UN-chartered rescue vessel and are expected to disembark in Fujairah, UAE, later tonight. A UN spokesperson described the mission as “technical” and declined to comment on the broader geopolitical context. However, the move follows a sharp rise in tensions between Iran and Western powers, with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) having earlier this month conducted live-fire exercises near the strait.
The vessels in question — the MV Helios, MV Dorset, and MV Cambria — had been anchored outside Iranian territorial waters after their insurers revoked coverage citing “force majeure” clauses. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that the ships were now under Royal Navy escort, stating, “We will not allow our commercial fleet to be held hostage by illegal threats.”
Mr Rubio’s intervention is significant. Speaking in Doha, he told reporters that the United States “cannot countenance a situation where a single state dictates the terms of global trade through coercion.” His reference to “tolls” relates to an earlier warning from IRGC commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, who suggested that shipping insurance premiums effectively operated as a “tax on movement” and that Tehran would explore “reciprocal measures.”
The prospect of such a policy has alarmed London and Washington, both of whom regard the Strait of Hormuz as an international waterway where freedom of navigation is guaranteed under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. A senior British diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the BBC that the government had “multiple contingency plans” should Iran attempt to impose fees.
Analysts point to a tightening of economic pressure on Iran. The country’s oil exports have fallen by 40% in the past year, partly due to increased US sanctions enforcement. Some experts suggest that the toll threat may be a bargaining chip ahead of renewed nuclear talks scheduled for May in Vienna. However, the tone from both Tehran and Washington remains confrontational.
The humanitarian dimension of today’s evacuation was not lost on the UN. “The safety of seafarers is paramount,” said the organisation’s maritime spokesman, adding that the crew had been without fresh food or reliable communications for four days. The Red Crescent has provided medical checks, and reports indicate that two sailors showed signs of dehydration.
As the last helicopter lifted off the MV Helios, the scene in the Gulf was one of calculated calm. Warships from all sides maintained a wary distance. A Royal Navy commander onboard HMS Duncan described the operation as “textbook,” but warned that the underlying dispute “is far from over.”
