CHINA FINANCE MINISTRY: TO AUCTION 30 BLN YUAN 91-DAY BILLS ON APRIL 22

IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER TELLS PAKISTANI COUNTERPART THAT TEHRAN, WHILE TAKING ALL ASPECTS OF THE MATTER INTO ACCOUNT, WILL DECIDE ON HOW TO PROCEED - IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT

The International Maritime Organization is preparing an evacuation plan for hundreds of ships stranded in the Persian Gulf following US and Israeli strikes on Iran over seven weeks ago, Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said at Singapore Maritime Week. The plan would only be activated if de-escalation is evident and includes a phased departure order based on crew stranding time and other factors. Transits would follow the IMO’s 1968 Traffic Separation Scheme proposed by Iran and Oman. Iran has also developed a coastal routing system in recent weeks. The IMO is coordinating with littoral and flag states to finalize the plan.