WANA (Aug 21) – International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez refuted claims by Donald Trump and U.S. administration officials that the Strait of Hormuz is open and operational, stating in an interview with Bloomberg News that the vital waterway remains effectively shut and unsafe for commercial shipping.

 

Responding to a question regarding the accuracy of claims that water mines in the strait have been cleared or detonated, Dominguez pointed out that the negligible number of vessels attempting passage proves the waterway is not functioning.

 

He emphasized that navigation cannot be considered safe as long as ships face active risks of attack from either side—whether from forces enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports or from Iran itself.

 

Pushing back against political statements suggesting a return to normalcy, the IMO chief stressed that maritime operations cannot simply resume through official declarations.

 

He underscored that the IMO will not advise maritime operators or seafarers to risk transiting the Strait of Hormuz until verified de-mining operations are confirmed and security guarantees are firmly in place.