The United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) has paused its evacuation plan for more than 11,000 sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz following an attack on a commercial cargo ship.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez announced the decision on Thursday, saying the agency would not resume the operation until it receives stronger assurances that ships can move safely through the strategic waterway.
The move follows an attack on the Singapore-flagged cargo ship Ever Lovely, which was struck by what the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) described as an “unknown projectile” near Oman’s Port of Dahit. No injuries were reported, and the vessel continued its journey.
According to US officials quoted by American media, Iran was responsible for the attack. However, Tehran has not officially confirmed the allegation.
The incident came shortly after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned vessels against using an IMO-designated shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz without coordinating with Iranian authorities.
Dominguez clarified that the attacked vessel was not operating under the UN’s evacuation framework. He said the suspension was necessary to protect seafarers and ensure safe navigation before continuing the large-scale evacuation effort.
Hundreds of commercial vessels and thousands of crew members have remained stranded in the Gulf since the fighting began.
The IMO launched its evacuation initiative earlier this week after the waterway partially reopened, with support from Iran, Oman, the United States and other regional partners. However, Iran’s maritime authority has since warned that ships using routes outside its approved corridors may not receive safe passage guarantees.
Although crude oil prices have eased following recent diplomatic talks, the latest attack has renewed concerns over security.
The UN says the evacuation plan will remain on hold until conditions improve and safe passage can be guaranteed.
