UN pauses Strait of Hormuz evacuation plan after cargo ship attacked

UN pauses Strait of Hormuz evacuation plan after cargo ship attacked

The United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO) paused a large-scale operation to evacuate more than 11,000 sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, June 25, 2026, after a cargo ship was attacked in the waterway.

The Singapore-flagged vessel, identified as the Ever Lovely, was struck 7.5 nautical miles southeast of Oman's port of Dahit by an unknown projectile, according to the British maritime security agency UKMTO. While the ship sustained damage, no casualties or environmental effects were reported, and the vessel continued through the strait. US officials told the Associated Press and Reuters that the ship was hit by a drone flown by Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.

IMO secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez stated the evacuation plan is on hold to ensure necessary safety guarantees remain for vessels on the evacuation list and others in the region. Dominguez noted that the Ever Lovely did not transit under IMO's evacuation framework, though several other boats had already been successfully evacuated before the pause.

Contested Routes and Control

The attack followed warnings from Tehran regarding shipping routes. The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), established by Iran to manage the strait, posted on X that safe passage is not guaranteed for vessels passing outside designated routes. The PGSA added that any consequences from using unauthorized routes are the responsibility of the vessel's owner, operator, and master.

The IRGC further stated on June 25 that the only authorized route is the one declared by the Islamic Republic of Iran, calling the UN-promoted route unacceptable and completely dangerous. The IRGC also ordered two Panama-flagged ships to change course that day, according to the security firm Ambrey. Meanwhile, Ambrey reported that a soldier threatened a tanker over the radio on Wednesday, stating, You are in range of my missiles and maybe (I) fire on you.

The IMO initiative, launched on Tuesday, June 23, provided a voluntary option for ships to exit the Gulf via two routes — one through Iranian waters and another through Omani waters — with US oversight. The operation aimed to assist approximately 600 ships and thousands of seafarers stranded since the US-Israel war against Iran began in late February. IMO estimates suggest at least 14 sailors have died since the conflict started.

A Fragile Truce

The instability follows a 14-point deal and a Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 17, which established a 60-day period for negotiations on Tehran's nuclear program and other measures to end the war. The agreement called for Iran to use its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days.

However, tensions persist over financial terms. Tehran has stated it intends to charge maritime service fees rather than tolls. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is visiting Bahrain to discuss the deal with Gulf allies, warned on Tuesday that no country is permitted to impose tolls on the strait, which he termed an international waterway. Rubio told reporters that if Iran threatens or blocks ships, then we're going to have a problem.

US President Donald Trump previously warned that the US might resume bombing Iran if the agreement to reopen the strait is not honored.

Economic and Regional Impact

The Strait of Hormuz handles a fifth of the world's daily oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. After the start of the war on February 28, Iran effectively closed the strait, causing a spike in global oil prices and disrupting shipments of commodities like fertilizer.

While traffic has increased recently, with 125 vessels crossing last week compared to 33 the previous week, it remains below the prewar daily average of 130 or more. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright noted that at least 20 million barrels of oil exited the waterway in the 24 hours preceding his comments. Oil prices briefly fell below the prewar price of $72.48 a barrel on Thursday before edging up to $73.23, though benchmark prices rose 1.9 per cent following the attack.

The maritime crisis coincides with a flare-up in Lebanon. Lebanon's health ministry reported that three people were killed by an Israeli strike on a car in southern Lebanon on Thursday, while other reports indicate five people died over the past two days. Iran has stated that the tentative peace deal requires Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, a condition Israel has rejected.

As the 60-day negotiation window continues, disagreements remain over nuclear inspections, financial incentives, and the control of the strait. Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, denied US assertions on June 25 that Iran would use unfrozen assets to purchase US agricultural products.