UN Halts Strait of Hormuz Evacuations After Ship Attack/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The United Nations has temporarily halted its ship evacuation operation through the Strait of Hormuz after a commercial vessel was struck in a suspected Iranian drone attack off the coast of Oman. The incident raises new concerns over maritime security as Washington and Tehran continue fragile negotiations aimed at ending the regional conflict.
Strait of Hormuz Ship Attack Quick Looks
- The UN paused ship evacuations through the Strait of Hormuz after a vessel was attacked.
- A U.S. official said an Iranian Revolutionary Guard drone struck the merchant ship Ever Lovely.
- The attacked vessel was not part of the UN-backed evacuation convoy.
- Iran warned ships against using the new UN-supported shipping corridor without its approval.
- The incident threatens fragile U.S.-Iran negotiations over maritime security.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed U.S. support for freedom of navigation.
- Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues to strain the broader regional ceasefire.
Deep Look
UN Suspends Emergency Shipping Operation
The United Nations has temporarily suspended its emergency evacuation program for commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz after a merchant ship was struck near the coast of Oman.
International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez announced Thursday that the evacuation effort would remain on hold until the agency receives sufficient security guarantees for ships scheduled to transit the strategic waterway.
Officials confirmed that the vessel involved in the attack was not participating in the UN-led evacuation operation.
U.S. Says Iranian Drone Hit Merchant Ship
A U.S. official told The Associated Press that the merchant vessel Ever Lovely was struck by a drone launched by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The official, speaking anonymously because of the sensitivity of the matter, said the drone attack damaged the vessel but caused no reported casualties.
Britain’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also confirmed that a commercial vessel sustained damage after being hit by a projectile off Oman’s coast, adding there were no injuries or environmental impacts.
The reported attack came only hours after Iranian authorities warned vessels not to use the newly established maritime route without Tehran’s authorization.
Iran Rejects Alternative Shipping Corridor
Iran sharply criticized the alternative shipping lane established by Oman and supported by the International Maritime Organization.
The country’s newly formed Persian Gulf Strait Authority warned on social media that ships traveling outside Iran-designated routes would not receive guarantees of safe passage.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Navy also labeled the corridor “unacceptable and completely dangerous,” insisting that only routes approved by Tehran are authorized.
Military officials warned that vessels ignoring Iranian instructions “will be dealt with,” though they offered no details on possible enforcement measures.
The warning follows an earlier incident in which the Revolutionary Guard reportedly threatened an oil tanker over radio communications.
Shipping Slowly Returns Despite Risks
Despite growing security concerns, maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has steadily increased since the temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
According to maritime tracking data, approximately 125 vessels transited the strait last week, a significant increase from just 33 the previous week. S&P Global reported 78 ship movements on Wednesday alone—the highest daily figure since the conflict began—although still well below the prewar average of more than 130 daily crossings.
Several commercial operators have resumed voyages. Shipping giant Maersk confirmed that its container ship Maersk Baltimore and another chartered vessel successfully exited the Persian Gulf on Thursday.
However, the main central shipping corridor remains hazardous after Iran reportedly laid naval mines there following U.S. and Israeli strikes earlier this year.
Rubio Reassures Gulf Allies
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with foreign ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council in Bahrain on Thursday to reassure regional allies that Washington remains committed to protecting maritime trade and regional security.
Rubio emphasized that any future agreement with Iran would not undermine the stability or economic interests of Gulf nations that rely heavily on uninterrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
“There is no part in this deal that’s undertaken that in any way undermines the security, the stability or the prosperity of any of our partners in the Gulf region,” Rubio said.
Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani welcomed progress toward a diplomatic solution but stressed that Iran must fully honor its commitments under any future agreement.
Lebanon Tensions Threaten Wider Ceasefire
While negotiations continue, violence has intensified along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that Israeli airstrikes killed three people in southern Lebanon on Thursday. Israel said its military targeted suspected Hezbollah fighters operating near its forces.
The renewed violence comes as Lebanese and Israeli officials meet in Washington to discuss a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon as part of broader regional peace efforts.
Israel also announced that one of its reserve soldiers was killed during operations in southern Lebanon, underscoring the fragile security environment across the region.
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