LONDON — The United Nations' shipping agency has temporarily halted its voluntary operation to help commercial vessels leave the Strait of Hormuz after a ship was struck following its transit through the strategic waterway, officials said, as the agency seeks to confirm that safety guarantees remain in place before movements resume.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized U.N. agency, announced the pause after a vessel in the Gulf of Oman came under attack on Thursday. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said the ship was not operating under the organization's evacuation framework, but the incident prompted a review of security conditions for all participating vessels.
"Following the launch of the IMO's evacuation plan, through which several vessels have already been successfully evacuated, I have decided to temporarily pause its implementation in order to reconfirm that the necessary safety guarantees continue to be in place," Dominguez said in a statement. He added that "the safety of the seafarers remains paramount."
The evacuation initiative was launched earlier this week to assist hundreds of commercial ships and thousands of seafarers stranded in the Persian Gulf after the regional conflict disrupted shipping through one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes. According to the IMO, participating vessels were directed through temporary navigation corridors established in coordination with regional states and the shipping industry.
British maritime security authorities reported that the affected vessel sustained damage after being struck by an unidentified projectile off the coast of Oman. Officials said there were no reported injuries or environmental pollution. Details of the attack, including responsibility, remain unclear.
Reuters reported that the attack also slowed commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, although some tankers continued transiting the waterway. The report said the IMO has been seeking assurances from governments, including Iran and Oman, before restarting the operation.
Iran has stated that vessels should coordinate passage through routes approved by Tehran, while the IMO has continued discussions with regional authorities aimed at restoring safe navigation.
As of Friday, the evacuation framework remained suspended while the agency assessed security conditions. IMO officials said work was continuing with member states and maritime partners to determine when the operation could safely resume, but no timetable had been announced.
