The United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) has temporarily suspended its operation to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz following an attack on a Singapore-flagged tanker near Oman. The incident has heightened concerns about the stability of a preliminary agreement aimed at ending the ongoing conflict involving Iran and reopening the strategic waterway.
The Evergreen Marine shipping company reported that its vessel, the Ever Lovely, was struck Thursday on its starboard side by an unknown object while navigating a route recommended by the British Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). Initial inspections revealed damage to the bridge windows, but the crew, vessel, and cargo were unharmed, and the ship safely exited the strait. A security source indicated the attack might have involved a drone, although no immediate official U.S. response was reported.
Two U.S. officials told Reuters that Iran had fired upon the vessel. Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority, the body managing transit requests through the strait, emphasized that vessels sailing outside of approved routes would not be guaranteed safe passage and placed responsibility for any resulting consequences on the vessel’s owner, operator, and commander. Additionally, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly ordered two Panama-flagged ships to alter their courses on Thursday, according to British maritime security firm Ambrey.
The IMO stated that the damaged vessel was not participating in its voluntary evacuation initiative launched earlier this week. That program aimed to facilitate the safe passage of hundreds of stranded ships and thousands of seafarers by offering two approved routes—one passing through Iranian waters and another through Omani waters, overseen by U.S. authorities. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez explained that the escort operation is on hold pending confirmation that adequate safety guarantees remain in place.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint, handling about one-fifth of global daily oil and liquefied natural gas shipments before the outbreak of hostilities on February 28. Since the war began, Iran has asserted effective control over the strait, disrupting oil flows and unsettling global energy markets. Despite these disruptions, oil prices fell again amid reports that several previously stranded tankers—including three very large crude carriers—successfully entered the Gulf for loading.
South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung announced that three South Korean vessels were set to leave the strait over the weekend, with eight more having recently departed, according to the country’s Oceans Ministry. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a warning earlier this week that any Iranian attempts to threaten or block shipping would create serious problems.
Iran, however, has indicated it intends to maintain stringent control over navigation in the strait. Ship transit data showed a recent increase in tanker activity, with 13 transits recorded across the strait on Thursday and Friday combined, up from lows recorded earlier in the conflict.
The escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz come as U.S. President Donald Trump faces mounting political pressure ahead of the November midterm elections. Trump previously threatened to resume bombing Iran should Tehran fail to honor the terms of the tentative ceasefire and reopening of the waterway.