DUBAI — Iran struck a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, prompting the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization to pause its efforts to evacuate stranded vessels and sailors from the region, officials said.
The Singapore-flagged vessel Ever Lovely was hit by a projectile, likely a drone, near the coast of Oman after passing through the strait, according to the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations and U.S. officials. The ship sustained damage but no immediate reports of casualties were available.
The IMO announced the temporary suspension of its evacuation plan on Thursday. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said in a statement that the agency needed to reconfirm safety guarantees for ships on the evacuation list and in the region.
The operation had aimed to assist hundreds of vessels and more than 11,000 sailors stranded in the Persian Gulf area since earlier conflict in the region. The plan involved coordinated passages through the strategic waterway, which carries about one-fifth of global oil trade.
U.S. officials attributed the strike to Iran. Iranian officials did not immediately claim responsibility or comment on the incident. Tehran had earlier warned vessels against using routes not approved by its navy.
The attack came amid a fragile ceasefire framework between the U.S. and Iran. President Donald Trump on Friday accused Iran of violating the agreement, describing the drone launches as “a foolish violation of our ceasefire agreement,” according to his statement on Truth Social.
Details on the full extent of damage to the Ever Lovely and the precise circumstances of the strike remained unclear. The British military reported the vessel was hit by a projectile following the passage of several tankers using a U.N.-backed route.
The IMO’s evacuation initiative was launched earlier in the week to help ease maritime disruptions. Its pause highlights ongoing risks to shipping in the area despite recent diplomatic efforts.
As of Friday, no further attacks were reported, and the status of broader ceasefire arrangements remained unchanged according to available statements. The IMO said it would resume operations once safety conditions could be verified.
