Muscat: The United Nations has temporarily suspended its emergency maritime rescue and evacuation operations in the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was struck in what United States officials say was an Iranian drone attack. The latest incident has raised fresh concerns over the safety of one of the world's busiest shipping routes and has cast doubt on efforts to restore normal commercial traffic through the strategic waterway.
The attack took place on Thursday when a Singapore flagged cargo ship was sailing close to the coast of Oman, about 7.5 nautical miles southeast of Dahit. According to maritime security officials, the vessel was hit on its starboard side by what is believed to have been a drone or another airborne weapon. The impact caused damage to the ship, but no crew members were injured.
Two United States officials told Reuters that intelligence assessments indicated Iran was responsible for the attack. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss intelligence findings publicly. Iran has not officially acknowledged carrying out the strike and has not issued a formal response to the allegations.
The vessel has been identified by several international media organisations as the Ever Lovely, a Singapore flagged cargo ship operated by Evergreen Marine. Reports said the attack damaged part of the ship's bridge, but the crew remained safe and the vessel stayed afloat without requiring an emergency evacuation.
Following the attack, the United Nations' International Maritime Organization announced that it was suspending its special ship evacuation programme in the Strait of Hormuz until security conditions could be reviewed. The initiative had been launched just two days earlier to help hundreds of commercial ships and thousands of seafarers move safely through the region after days of military tensions disrupted shipping.
The emergency operation had established temporary maritime corridors through Iranian and Omani waters to guide commercial vessels away from areas considered to be at higher risk. Before the programme was halted, about 57 vessels carrying around 1,100 seafarers had successfully completed their journeys through the protected routes.
International Maritime Organization Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez said the organisation decided to pause the operation because the safety of commercial crews could no longer be guaranteed following the latest attack. He said the United Nations would continue to monitor the situation closely before deciding when it would be safe to resume escort and evacuation operations.
The incident comes at a particularly sensitive time. Only days earlier, regional diplomatic efforts had raised hopes that tensions in the Gulf were beginning to ease after weeks of conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States. Commercial shipping had slowly started returning to normal, with several vessels resuming their planned routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most strategically important waterways in the world. Nearly one fifth of global oil shipments normally pass through the narrow passage connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Any disruption in the area has the potential to affect global energy supplies, shipping costs and international trade.
The latest attack has once again highlighted the risks faced by commercial shipping companies operating in the region. Many shipping firms have already increased insurance coverage, altered sailing schedules and strengthened security measures following recent military confrontations.
According to Reuters, Iran has warned commercial vessels to follow routes approved by Iranian authorities while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials reportedly indicated that ships ignoring those directions could face consequences, adding to concerns among international shipping companies and governments.
Despite the renewed security threat, some commercial operations have continued. Saudi Arabia has restarted oil loading activities at its Ras Tanura export terminal, while several South Korean vessels have resumed departures from Gulf ports after temporary delays caused by the regional conflict. Shipping companies, however, remain cautious and continue to monitor developments before fully restoring normal operations.
The attack has also attracted close attention from governments around the world because of its potential impact on global trade and energy markets. Even short disruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz can affect crude oil prices, increase transportation costs and create uncertainty across international supply chains.
The United Nations has not publicly assigned responsibility for the attack, saying investigations are continuing. Its immediate priority remains ensuring the safety of civilian crews and assessing whether secure maritime corridors can be re established without exposing ships to further danger.
The United States has maintained that Iran carried out the strike and has called for continued vigilance in the region. American officials have said the latest incident demonstrates that commercial shipping remains vulnerable despite recent diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing military tensions.
Maritime security experts say the incident illustrates how quickly the security situation in the Gulf can change. Although commercial traffic had started to recover following recent ceasefire efforts, the latest attack may prompt shipping companies to delay voyages or choose longer alternative routes until confidence returns.
For now, the damaged cargo ship remains safe, with no reported injuries among its crew. However, the suspension of the United Nations rescue operation and the renewed concerns over security in the Strait of Hormuz underline the fragile situation in one of the world's most important maritime corridors. International authorities continue to monitor developments closely as investigations into the attack continue and efforts to restore safe navigation remain uncertain.