UN suspends ship escorts through Strait of Hormuz after cargo vessel attack
Commercial vessel (photo: Getty Images)
The UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO) has temporarily suspended its operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo vessel was attacked in the Gulf of Oman, raising fresh concerns over the safety of the maritime corridor, Reuters reports.
The organization launched the ship escort program on June 23 to help hundreds of vessels and thousands of sailors who had remained stranded in the region due to the fighting.
Two routes were designated for vessels to transit the area — through Iranian and Omani waters, with the latter option backed by the United States. Before the maritime organization's operations were suspended, 57 vessels carrying around 1,100 sailors had used the program.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said the pause is necessary to assess security guarantees following the latest incident. According to preliminary information, the attacked vessel was not participating in the official evacuation program.
Attack on vessel deals blow to fragile US-Iran agreement
Reuters also reports that the attack dealt another blow to the fragile arrangements on shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the agency, the vessel was damaged in a strike near the Omani coast. US officials believe Iran may have been involved in the incident, although there is currently no official confirmation.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most important maritime routes, through which a significant share of global oil exports passes. After shipping partially resumed, traffic in the region began to increase, but the latest attack has once again raised concerns over navigational safety.
Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz just days after reaching a peace agreement with the United States in June.
On the night of June 18, US President Donald Trump signed a framework agreement with Iran. It outlined preliminary peace arrangements, but negotiations are still ongoing. The issue of Tehran's nuclear program remains unresolved.
