Shipping traffic in the Hormuz Strait, which had shown signs of recovery following a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, is once again in turmoil after a cargo ship was attacked. Following the incident near Oman, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has temporarily suspended its evacuation operation for vessels and crew. Iran has warned that it cannot guarantee the safety of ships that stray from its designated routes, asserting its control over maritime traffic. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Oman have distanced themselves from the possibility of imposing tolls, escalating tensions over control of the strait.
On June 25, local time, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported an attack on a cargo ship in the waters southeast of Oman’s Dahit Port. The vessel was struck on its starboard side, damaging the bridge, but there were no reports of casualties or environmental damage. Maritime security sources identified the attacked ship as the Ever Lovely, a Singapore-flagged container vessel.
U.S. officials have pointed to Iran as the perpetrator of the attack. The Wall Street Journal cited two senior administration officials stating that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was responsible for the assault, which reportedly involved a suicide drone. Reuters also confirmed through multiple U.S. officials that Iran was behind the attack, although an official response from Iran was not immediately available.
The attack prompted the IMO to halt its evacuation operation. The organization had initiated a plan to evacuate hundreds of vessels and 11,000 crew members remaining in the Hormuz Strait. According to initial estimates, from June 23 to the morning of June 25, 57 ships and approximately 1,100 crew members had exited the strait under this plan.
However, following the attack report, the IMO suspended the operation. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated, “We need to reconfirm whether necessary safety guarantees are still in place.” He clarified that the Ever Lovely was not part of the IMO’s evacuation plan but added that the operation would remain on hold until it is clearer that vessels can move safely.
On the same day, Iran emphasized the necessity of using its approved designated routes for safe passage. The IRGC declared that safe transit is only possible when these routes are followed and warned of consequences for vessels that do not comply. British maritime security firm Ambrey reported that the IRGC ordered two Panama-flagged vessels to change their routes on the same day.
The Persian Gulf Shipping Authority (PGSA), established by the Iranian government, echoed this stance, stating that it cannot guarantee operations for vessels using routes outside designated areas. It also warned that accidents occurring on unauthorized routes may not be covered by insurance, and liability would fall on the shipowners, operators, and captains.
Traffic through the Hormuz Strait had increased somewhat following the MOU. According to maritime data firm Kpler, 131 vessels passed through the strait from June 20 to 23, with 39 vessels transiting on June 23 alone. However, the recent attack has raised concerns about shipping operations, insurance processing, and disruptions in energy transport.
The Hormuz Strait is a critical corridor for global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments. Delays in normalizing traffic or increased Iranian control over designated routes could heighten energy supply uncertainties. This concern has been reflected in rising international oil prices following news of the cargo ship attack.
The conflict extends beyond safety to cost issues, centering on who manages the strait and who can collect fees. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi stated after a meeting in Manama with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Gulf foreign ministers that any future measures would not include tolls. Secretary Rubio also asserted that no single country should impose fees for the use of international waterways.
This stance contrasts with Iran's position, which argues that it can collect fees under the guise of providing safety, navigation, environmental, and insurance services. Reports suggest Iran believes this fee structure could yield $40 billion annually for related countries.
Iran and Oman had previously stated in a joint declaration after high-level talks that they would jointly review the issue of service fees for Hormuz transit. However, Oman maintains that this should not be interpreted as a toll on the passage itself.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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