October 18, 2026
The International Maritime Organization announced on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz still lacks the safety standards necessary for the movement of tankers, in light of the continued presence of mines and the absence of any information from the Iranian side that would contribute to the reopening of this vital sea lane.
In exclusive statements to Sky News Arabia, the Secretary-General of the organization, Arsenio Dominguez, confirmed that Tehran has not yet provided any data allowing the opening of the strait, stressing that the highest priority lies in resuming navigation, provided that adequate guarantees are provided for the safety of ships and sailors passing through.
Dominguez explained that the International Maritime Organization is actively participating in the negotiations aimed at ending the crisis and resuming shipping traffic, revealing that more than 100 ships have been subjected to various attacks in the strait since the outbreak of war.
He added that mine clearance operations have not yet begun, and are scheduled to begin immediately after the end of the conflict, while the organization continues its efforts to provide support to sailors and ensure their protection.
The Strait of Hormuz is of great strategic importance as it is one of the most important global energy trade corridors. It connects the Arabian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, and is located between Iran to the north and the Sultanate of Oman to the south. Its width at its narrowest point is about 34 kilometers, and ships pass through two navigation lanes, each about 3 kilometers wide, separated by a buffer zone.
According to data from the US Energy Information Administration, oil flows through the Strait will average about 20 million barrels per day in 2024, equivalent to about a fifth of global consumption of petroleum liquids and more than a quarter of seaborne oil trade. About a fifth of global liquefied natural gas trade also transited it, especially from Qatar.
The Strait is the main outlet for Gulf energy exports to global markets, especially Asian ones, which makes the stability and safety of navigation in it a crucial element in securing supplies and stabilizing oil and gas prices globally.
