UN agency pauses ship evacuations through strait of Hormuz after vessel struck

UN agency pauses ship evacuations through strait of Hormuz after vessel struck

The United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO) has suspended its program to evacuate stranded ships from the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz. The decision follows a Thursday strike on a commercial vessel off the coast of Oman, an incident that has rattled confidence in a fragile regional truce.

The targeted ship, identified by a U.S. Official as the Singapore-flagged Ever Lovely, was hit by a projectile. While the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) initially reported the strike on Thursday evening, U.S. Officials confirmed the vessel was hit by a drone operated by Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. Taiwanese operator Evergreen Marine stated Friday that the cargo ship resumed its transit with the crew, vessel, and cargo unharmed, though the UKMTO noted the ship sustained damage to its bridge.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez announced the pause on Thursday, stating the evacuation plan would remain on hold until the agency can confirm safety guarantees for the region and ships on the evacuation list. Dominguez clarified that the Ever Lovely was not part of the UN evacuation effort.

Disputed Waterways and Naval Warnings

The attack occurred amid a dispute over legitimate shipping lanes. The IMO and Oman established two temporary routes, including one hugging the Omani coastline. The U.S. Has encouraged ships to use this Omani route to relieve economic pressure and reduce Iranian leverage in peace talks. However, Iran rejects these "parallel routes," insisting all vessels must seek Tehran's permission and use a northern route closer to the Iranian coast.

The naval arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) described the UN-backed route as unacceptable and completely dangerous, stating that violators will be dealt with. This follows a Wednesday incident where a soldier warned a tanker over the radio: You are in range of my missiles and maybe (I) fire on you, according to the security firm Ambrey.

Further complicating transit is a central corridor that previously carried about a fifth of the world's oil and natural gas. Iran claimed to have mined that passage after U.S. And Israeli attacks on Feb. 28, and at least one mine has since been sighted.

Diplomatic Friction and Economic Impact

The maritime crisis coincides with a 60-day window for the U.S. And Iran to finalize an interim peace deal based on a memorandum of understanding signed last week. Central to these talks are the administration of the strait and the future of Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile. While the U.S. Waived sanctions on Iran for 60 days on Monday, tensions remain high.

President Donald Trump claimed Thursday that Iran would be compelled to use unfrozen funds to buy U.S. Wheat, corn, and soy. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf rejected this as a false claim, asserting that the only crop being harvested is decades of mistrust.

Market reactions were volatile. Brent crude oil briefly dipped below its prewar price of just under $73 per barrel on Thursday. Global stocks also declined; South Korea's Kospi closed down almost 6%, and Tokyo fell more than 4%.

Regional Escalation in Lebanon

The maritime instability is mirrored by a fraying truce between Israel and Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. Despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, fighting continues. Lebanon reported five people killed by Israeli strikes over two days, while Israel reported the death of a reservist soldier in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem demanded that Israel withdraw unconditionally from Lebanese territory, calling the U.S.-Iran memorandum an official acknowledgment of the defeat of the United States and Israel. Conversely, Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz wrote on X that any new Iranian attack would be Tehran's biggest mistake yet.

In a separate humanitarian effort, the Japanese government announced an emergency grant of $15 million on June 26 for Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine to support healthcare and food services.

Moving forward, the international community awaits the results of the 60-day negotiation window between Washington and Tehran. Additionally, the mandate for the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL, is set to expire on December 31, 2026, prompting France and Italy to propose a multinational coalition to succeed the 7,500-person force.