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The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has paused its evacuation of stranded ships from the Persian Gulf after a container vessel was attacked in the Gulf of Oman on June 25, an incident a U.S. official attributed to an Iranian drone strike. The IMO launched the operation on June 23 to move an estimated 600 vessels and 11,000 seafarers stranded since the U.S.-Iran war began in late February, following a 60-day interim peace deal signed last week. But the evacuation was suspended after the Singapore-flagged Ever Lovely, which was not part of the IMO framework, was struck on its starboard side by an unknown projectile Source: CNBCSource: CNN.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the Ever Lovely was hit 14 km southeast of Oman's port of Dahit, damaging the bridge but causing no casualties or environmental harm Source: Al Jazeera. A U.S. official told multiple outlets that Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard used a drone to attack the vessel Source: NPRSource: CNN. Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) did not claim responsibility but warned that vessels using routes outside its designated framework "will not be covered by the guarantee of safe passage" Source: The Guardian.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said the pause was needed "to reconfirm that the necessary safety guarantees continue to be in place for the ships on our evacuation list and all those in the region" Source: CNBC. He stressed that the was not operating under the IMO evacuation plan. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, visiting the Gulf to reassure allies, said Washington is committed to the new route and warned that if Iran blocks ships, "then we're going to have a problem" .
“A US official told CNN the ship was hit in an Iranian drone attack, but did not provide further details.”
“The head of the International Maritime Organization said the plan to move stranded ships out of the Persian Gulf through the strait will be on hold until the agency can confirm safety guarantees for the ships on the evacuation list and in the region.”
“The IMO initiative, launched on Tuesday, was aimed at supporting hundreds of stranded ships and thousands of seafarers to sail out of the Gulf, using either a northern route via Iranian waters or a southern route via Omani waters with U.S. oversight.”
The incident threatens the fragile U.S.-Iran interim deal, which gives 60 days for final negotiations. Iran insists on controlling routes, while the U.S. demands free passage. The IMO has not said when the evacuation might resume.
“The ship reported being struck on its starboard side by a projectile 14km (7.5 nautical miles) southeast of Oman’s port of Dahit.”
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