Lead

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has temporarily suspended its plan to evacuate more than 11,000 seafarers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was struck by a projectile in the waterway, the agency's Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said.

The decision follows an attack on a vessel approximately 7.5 nautical miles southeast of Dahit, Oman, which was hit on the starboard side by an unknown projectile, causing damage to the bridge but no reported casualties, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a Royal Navy maritime security agency.

Coverage comparison

Two news organisations — Al Jazeera and the Russian state agency TASS — have reported on the suspension, though their accounts differ in timing and detail.

Al Jazeera reported that the IMO suspended plans to evacuate over 11,000 sailors after a cargo ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz was struck. The outlet noted that the incident came despite a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the United States and Iran last week that ended hostilities and included provisions aimed at reopening the strategic waterway.

TASS, in a statement issued on June 25, quoted Dominguez as saying he had decided to "temporarily pause" the evacuation plan following the attack. The agency reported that Dominguez said several vessels had already been successfully evacuated under the plan, but that he wanted to reconfirm that the necessary safety guarantees remained in place.

The two reports also differ on the number of seafarers affected and the status of the evacuation before the pause. Al Jazeera reported that "several crews" had already been evacuated, while TASS cited IMO data saying that 57 vessels with approximately 1,100 crew members had left the Strait of Hormuz between June 23 and the early hours of June 25.

TASS also noted that the attacked vessel did not transit under the IMO's evacuation framework, a detail not mentioned in the Al Jazeera report.

Key claims

  • The IMO suspended plans to evacuate over 11,000 sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was struck by a projectile. (Al Jazeera, TASS)
  • A cargo ship was attacked near Oman's coast, with the vessel hit on the starboard side by an unknown projectile, causing damage to the bridge and no casualties. (Al Jazeera, TASS, citing UKMTO)
  • The incident occurred despite a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran that ended hostilities and included provisions aimed at reopening the waterway. (Al Jazeera)
  • Iran has not claimed responsibility for the attack but has not denied any role. (Al Jazeera)
  • The attack has heightened concerns over navigation through the strait. (Al Jazeera)
  • The IMO proposed a new shipping corridor that would partially bypass waters under Iran's control. (Al Jazeera)
  • Iran rejected the plan, citing safety concerns and a lack of consultation. (Al Jazeera)
  • The IMO will begin the evacuation of over 11,000 seafarers stranded in the Middle East, in close coordination with Iran, Oman, and the US. (TASS, quoting Dominguez on June 23)
  • The evacuation will be carried out in close cooperation with Iran, Oman, all other coastal states in the region, the United States, and the maritime industry. (TASS, quoting Dominguez)

Perspectives

International Maritime Organization

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez announced the evacuation plan on June 23, saying the operation would be carried out in close coordination with Iran, Oman, the United States, and other coastal states. He said the IMO had secured the necessary safety guarantees and had thoroughly verified the conditions for safe navigation. On June 25, he announced the temporary pause, stating that the safety of seafarers remains paramount and that the plan would be paused until further clarity is obtained.

Iran

Iran has not claimed responsibility for the attack on the cargo ship but has not denied any role, according to Al Jazeera. The outlet also reported that Tehran rejected the proposed shipping corridor, saying it was announced without consultation and raises safety concerns while demining operations are still under way.

United States

The US signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran last week that ended hostilities and included provisions aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, according to Al Jazeera. The US had imposed a naval blockade on Iran-linked vessels in April after Iran restricted passage through the strait in early March.