The United Nations International Maritime Organization has paused its voluntary ship escort operation through the Strait of Hormuz today after a commercial vessel was attacked near Oman, raising fresh concerns over the durability of a preliminary Iran ceasefire.
Taiwan’s Evergreen Marine said its container ship struck by an unknown object while transiting the strait but safely exited the waterway. The crew and cargo were unharmed.
Two U.S. officials blamed Iran for the attack, while Tehran warned ships using routes outside those approved by Iranian authorities would not be guaranteed safe passage.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said they temporarily paused their evacuation initiative to reassess safety conditions. The attacked vessel was not part of the UN coordinated operation, which began earlier this week to help stranded ships leave the Gulf.