Iran attacks ship in Strait of Hormuz, disrupting U.S.-brokered shipping deal

A Singapore-flagged commercial vessel sustained damage to its bridge after being struck by an "unknown projectile" in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, according to a U.S. official who confirmed the incident to CBS News. The attack by Iran's Revolutionary Guards poses a challenge to President Trump's efforts to reopen the vital shipping corridor.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre reported the vessel was hit on its starboard side off the coast of Dahit, Oman. No casualties or environmental impact were immediately reported. Following the strike, the UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced it was temporarily halting a recently initiated plan to evacuate numerous vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf.

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I have always reiterated that the safety of the seafarers remains paramount. Therefore, to ensure a coordinated approach and navigational safety, the evacuation plan will be paused until further clarity is obtained.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated the pause was necessary "in order to reconfirm that the necessary safety guarantees continue to be in place." The organization clarified that the struck vessel had not been transiting under the IMO's evacuation framework. This incident occurred despite a recent memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran, which had raised hopes for increased shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint typically handling one-fifth of global oil.

Under the agreement, Iran committed to facilitating toll-free safe passage for 60 days. Since its signing, ship traffic had notably increased, with 70 vessels transiting on Tuesday compared to six a week prior, according to data from analytics firm Kpler. This uptick in traffic had contributed to a plummet in global oil prices. The IMO had also launched a large-scale evacuation effort for thousands of mariners in the region.

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Any passage through routes outside the framework designated by PGSA will not be covered by safe passage guarantees and will not be entitled to insurance coverage or related liabilities.