The Kabul Tribune (KT) — The International Maritime Organization has temporarily suspended its operation escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz after a vessel came under attack on Thursday, Reuters reported, raising fresh concerns over the stability of maritime security and a fragile ceasefire framework linked to the Iran conflict.
According to the British maritime agency UK Maritime Trade
Operations, a cargo ship was struck near Oman by a projectile. Two U.S.
officials told Reuters that Iran had fired on the vessel, while Iranian
authorities denied responsibility and warned that ships outside approved routes
would not be guaranteed safe passage.
Iran’s Strait authority said vessels deviating from
designated routes would bear full responsibility for any consequences, adding
that commanders and operators must comply with Tehran’s navigation framework.
Four sources identified the ship as the Singapore-flagged Ever Lovely, and a
security source suggested it may have been targeted by a drone.
There was no immediate comment from the U.S. government.
Donald Trump had earlier warned that the United States could resume military
action if Iran failed to honor agreements related to ending the conflict and
reopening the waterway.
The IMO said it was pausing its escort initiative, launched
earlier this week, to reassess safety guarantees for vessels in the evacuation
program. The organization had been assisting hundreds of stranded ships and
thousands of seafarers trapped in the Gulf since the start of the war in
February.
Oil prices rose about 2% following the incident, as analysts
warned that renewed tensions could delay the normalization of energy flows
through the region. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global shipping route, carrying
roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas trade.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards separately said safe passage
would only be allowed through routes designated by Tehran and warned of action
against non-compliant vessels. British maritime security firms also reported
that Iranian forces ordered some ships to change course.
The escalation comes amid ongoing uncertainty over a
preliminary ceasefire framework between Washington and Tehran, with disputes
persisting over sanctions relief, nuclear inspections, and control of the
Strait.
