IMO pauses its Gulf vessel evacuation plan after Iran attacks ship

Lead

The United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO) has paused its evacuation of hundreds of ships and thousands of seafarers stranded in the Persian Gulf after a vessel was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz. The move comes as Iran warned vessels to use only Tehran-approved routes and reiterated its right to control shipping in the critical waterway.

Coverage Comparison

Al Jazeera reported that the IMO halted its evacuation plan on Thursday after a cargo ship reported a suspected attack in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel, which had passed through the strait, was struck on its starboard side by a projectile, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The agency said the ship was about 14 kilometres (7.5 nautical miles) southeast of Oman's port of Dahit. Another maritime security source told the Reuters news agency that the vessel was likely targeted by a drone, although it was not clear who carried out the strike.

Meanwhile, The Hindu's World section reported that Iran criticised the IMO plan, arguing it does not adequately recognise Tehran's role in managing traffic through the strategic waterway. The outlet also noted a joint declaration by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, including Oman, after a meeting attended by the United States, stating that there should be no "tolls, fees, or attempts to assert control over the strait".

In a separate article, The Hindu reported on the UN's efforts to resume the evacuation, quoting IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez as saying he was working "vigilantly" with several parties, including Oman, the United States, and Iran, to secure guarantees that vessels will not be targeted.

Key Claims

• The IMO began evacuating 600 ships and around 11,000 mariners on Tuesday, using two routes: one via Iranian waters and another via Omani waters with US oversight. The plan was paused after the attack.
• The attacked vessel was Taiwan's container ship Ever Lovely, which was not transiting under the IMO-facilitated plan, according to Mr. Dominguez. No one was injured, and the vessel resumed its voyage.
• About 115 vessels and around 2,500 seafarers had sailed through the strait before the pause, Mr. Dominguez told a virtual news conference. He said evacuations will take weeks to complete.
• Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) ordered two Panama-flagged ships to change course, as reported by Al Jazeera.
• The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) said that transit outside its designated routes will not be covered by the guarantee of safe passage, according to the same outlet.
• The IMO remains in contact with Iran through its embassy in London, as reported by The Hindu.
• Tehran reasserted its right to control shipping in the waterway and warned its Gulf neighbours against siding with Washington, according to a report dated June 26, 2026.

Perspectives

The IMO, through Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, stated that it had secured the necessary safety guarantees and verified conditions for safe navigation before the plan began. He said the pause was to reconfirm those guarantees and that the agency was ready to re-initiate the process as soon as further confirmations are received.

Iran criticised the IMO plan, arguing it does not adequately recognise Tehran's role in managing traffic through the strait. A statement issued by Iran after a meeting between the foreign ministers of Oman and Iran on June 22, 2026, said the two countries had agreed to continue talks through a joint committee of their foreign ministries to reach an understanding on the future management of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the services to be provided, and the associated costs, in accordance with international standards.

The Gulf Cooperation Council states, including Oman, issued a joint declaration stating that there should be no "tolls, fees, or attempts to assert control over the strait".