The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has paused the evacuation of ships through the Strait of Hormuz after a vessel was struck by a projectile off the coast of Oman on Thursday, the British military reported. The head of the IMO stated that the plan to move stranded ships through the strait will be on hold until the agency can confirm safety guarantees for the vessels on the evacuation list and in the region. It remains unclear who launched the projectile or the type of vessel that was targeted.
Attack Follows Iran Threat
The report of the strike came hours after Iran threatened vessels against using a UN-approved route through the strait without Tehran's permission. The cargo ship was moving through the Strait of Hormuz on a route backed by the United Nations when it was hit by a projectile, according to the British military. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center confirmed that the vessel sustained damage but reported no injuries or environmental impact from the attack.
Alternative Passage and Economic Impact
The opening of an alternative passage through the vital waterway aimed to relieve pressure on the world economy and remove Iran's main source of leverage in ongoing peace talks with the United States. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on a visit to the Gulf to reassure American allies, said Washington was committed to the new route and ensuring ships could transit the strait. “If that stops, then we’re going to have a problem,” Rubio warned earlier Thursday.
Traffic Below Prewar Levels
Traffic through the strait increased in recent days but remained well below prewar levels. The US and Iran are still debating terms of an interim peace deal, covering issues from ship passage through the narrow mouth of the Arabian Gulf to the future of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Under a memorandum of understanding signed last week, the two countries have 60 days to finalize details. As talks proceed behind closed doors, US President Donald Trump and Iranian leaders have negotiated publicly, trading threats and claiming concessions the other side denies.
Oil Tankers Navigate New Route
Oil tankers, led by the Stoic Warrior vessel, sailed along the United Arab Emirates and then Oman early Thursday, passing close to the shore of Oman’s Musandam Peninsula. The route was established by Oman and the IMO. North of this route lies a corridor in the center of the strait where ships moved freely before the war, transporting about one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas. Iran claimed it mined that passage after the US and Israel attacked it on February 28, and at least one mine has been sighted there.
Some Ships Successfully Evacuated
Although some ships had been exiting the strait with US military support, the UN agency’s effort is the latest attempt to free trapped vessels. The shipping company Maersk reported that its container ship, the Maersk Baltimore, and another chartered vessel made it out on Thursday. Last week, 125 vessels crossed the strait, up from 33 the week before, according to marine data firm Lloyd’s List Intelligence. According to S&P Global, Wednesday saw 78 transits, the highest since the war began, but still below the daily prewar average of 130 or more.
