UN halts Strait of Hormuz evacuation after ship comes under attack
Despite US military support, UN efforts continue helping trapped ships escape the Strait of Hormuz safely.
A United Nations agency paused a plan to evacuate ships through an alternative route in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday after the British military reported a vessel was hit by a projectile off the coast of Oman. The strike came hours after Iran warned vessels not to use the route without Tehran’s permission, and it underscored the fragile security situation in one of the world’s most vital waterways.
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) said it would hold off on further evacuations until it could secure clear safety guarantees for ships on its list and vessels operating in the region. Arsenio Domínguez, the IMO secretary-general, noted that the attacked ship was not part of the evacuation effort, but the incident raised immediate concerns about whether the new corridor could be considered safe.
Details about the strike remain murky. The UK Maritime Trade Operations centre reported the vessel sustained damage but there were no injuries or environmental impacts. It was not clear who fired the projectile or what type of craft was targeted. Iran’s newly formed Persian Gulf Strait Authority wrote on X that passages made outside Iran’s designated routes “will not be covered by the guarantee of safe passage,” effectively warning shipping companies to obey Tehran’s navigation rules.
The alternative route — charted by Oman with IMO backing — has offered a lifeline for tankers and merchant ships stranded since the outbreak of regional hostilities. Early transits along the new corridor included the Stoic Warrior and several tankers that hugged the UAE and Omani coasts before passing Musandam. While traffic has increased in recent days, it remains well below pre-war levels; analysts say the corridor’s wider adoption is key to easing global energy markets and reducing Iran’s leverage in negotiations.
US officials have pushed for keeping the route open. Visiting the Gulf to reassure partners, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington is committed to the corridor and to ensuring that ships can transit safely. “If that stops, then we’re going to have a problem,” he warned, underscoring the economic stakes. Markets briefly reacted: oil dipped below its last pre-war level near $73 a barrel, signalling cautious optimism that supply lines were gradually normalising.
Diplomatic efforts to stabilise the wider conflict continue in parallel. The United States and Iran remain in talks over an interim peace deal, negotiating technical details including shipping arrangements and the future of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile. The memorandum of understanding signed last week gives both sides 60 days to finalise terms, even as leaders publicly trade claims and threats.
The security picture is complicated by fresh flare-ups elsewhere. Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon has threatened a fragile truce, with Lebanese authorities reporting recent strikes that killed civilians and Israeli forces reporting attacks on suspected militants. Such regional volatility increases the risk to maritime traffic and complicates diplomatic solutions.
For now, the IMO’s pause reflects a simple reality: shipping needs predictable safety guarantees. While some vessels, including Maersk’s Maersk Baltimore, managed to sail out with US military support, the projectile strike off Oman showed that even escorted transits face risks. Until governments and international agencies can provide reliable security assurances — and until Iran and other actors clarify how they will treat alternative routes — shipowners are likely to remain cautious.
- IMO paused evacuations through the Strait of Hormuz after a vessel was struck off Oman.
- The attacked ship was not on the IMO evacuation list; attackers and weapon type remain unclear.
- Iran warned ships against using routes not authorised by Tehran and said such transits won’t be guaranteed safe.
- UK reported damage to the vessel, no injuries or environmental harm.
- Oman and the IMO established an alternative route to ease shipping bottlenecks; traffic still below pre-war levels.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged US support for the new route and warned of consequences if it closes.
- US-Iran talks on an interim peace deal continue, including shipping arrangements and nuclear material issues.
- Regional instability, including clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, complicates maritime security.
- Shipping firms remain cautious; some vessels left with US military assistance while the IMO seeks firm safety guarantees.