The UN International Maritime Organization has temporarily paused an evacuation program for ships and crews in the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo vessel reported being struck by a projectile near Oman. The incident, reported by the British navy’s UKMTO agency, has renewed concerns about the stability of a preliminary agreement intended to end the Iran war and reopen one of the world’s most important energy corridors.
The ship was identified by several sources as the Singapore-flagged Ever Lovely. A security source said a drone may have been involved. Two U.S. officials told Reuters that Iran fired on the ship, while Iranian authorities said vessels that do not use Tehran-approved routes cannot be guaranteed safe passage. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also stated that ships must follow routes designated by Iran through the strait.
The IMO said the vessel involved was not part of its voluntary evacuation initiative, which began Tuesday. The program was designed to help hundreds of stranded ships and thousands of seafarers leave the Gulf through routes in Iranian and Omani waters, with U.S. oversight. IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez said the pause would allow officials to reconfirm safety guarantees for vessels on the evacuation list and others in the region.
The reported attack pushed benchmark oil prices up 1.9 per cent, reflecting renewed market concern over Gulf energy flows. Before the conflict, the Strait of Hormuz carried about one-fifth of global daily oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
U.S. officials have warned Iran against threatening or blocking vessels. President Donald Trump has said the U.S. could resume bombing Iran if the agreement is not honoured. Disputes remain over the ceasefire framework, including Iran’s access to unfrozen assets, nuclear inspections, control of the strait and related regional conflicts. The deal allows 60 days for further negotiations over key issues.