The United Nations International Maritime Organization paused its program to shepherd vessels through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship reported a suspected attack on Thursday.
The Singaporean-flagged container ship Ever Lovely was attacked southeast of Dahit, Oman, prompting the IMO to suspend an evacuation plan covering approximately 11,000 sailors.
The evacuation initiative, launched on Tuesday, gave ships and crew a voluntary option to exit the Gulf using two routes, one through Iranian waters and one through Omani waters, with U.S. oversight.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez announced the pause, citing the need to reconfirm that necessary safety guarantees remained in place before operations could resume.
Dominguez stated: “I have been informed of an attack today in the Gulf of Oman on a vessel which passed through the Strait of Hormuz.”
He added: “This vessel did not transit under IMO’s evacuation framework. I have always reiterated that the safety of the seafarers remains paramount. Therefore, to ensure a coordinated approach and navigational safety, the evacuation plan will be paused until further clarity is obtained.”
Benchmark oil prices climbed 1.9 percent following news of the attack, as analysts said the incident rekindled concerns about how quickly Gulf oil flows could return to normal levels.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, wrapping up a Gulf tour aimed at reassuring regional states about a preliminary Iran-U.S. pact, warned that if Iran threatens or blocks ships in the strait, “then we’re going to have a problem.”
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards declared that safe passage through the strait would only be possible via routes designated by Iran, and threatened action against vessels that failed to comply.
The Persian Gulf Strait Authority followed the attack with a reiterated warning to ships not to traverse undesignated routes, deepening uncertainty around the fragile ceasefire framework.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said before the incident that shipments through the strait were approaching pre-conflict levels, with at least 20 million barrels of oil exiting in the previous 24 hours.
Conflicting accounts over the framework ceasefire deal have fueled criticism of the Trump administration both domestically and internationally, with disputes persisting over financial incentives for Iran and nuclear inspections.
Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, denied the U.S. assertion that Iran would use unfrozen assets to purchase American agricultural products, calling the claim false.
The deal as structured sets up 60 days of further negotiations to address unresolved issues, including Iran’s nuclear program and control over the Strait of Hormuz.
