The United Nations has suspended a plan to evacuate more than 11,000 sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran raised objections and a cargo ship was reportedly struck near Oman. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced the pause on Thursday, citing an “attack” in the Gulf of Oman.
IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez stated he had been informed of the incident on a vessel transiting the strait, though he noted it was not participating in the UN evacuation framework. “I have always reiterated that the safety of the seafarers remains paramount,” he said, explaining the decision to halt operations while seeking clarity on safety guarantees.
The move underscores the fragility of shipping routes through one of the world's busiest maritime chokepoints. Even after a U.S.-Iran truce, the pause and the apparent strike demonstrate how quickly the flow of people and goods can be disrupted in the region.
The IMO had unveiled the evacuation blueprint on Tuesday, and some vessels had already been successfully extracted, according to Dominguez. However, the operation is now frozen indefinitely as the agency re-evaluates security conditions and coordinates with involved parties.
The delay leaves thousands of seafarers in precarious conditions aboard stranded ships. It also threatens to inflame tensions further, as the attack and Iran's objections raise questions about whether the UN can maintain safe passage for commercial and humanitarian traffic through the strait.
No group has claimed responsibility for the strike, and the affected vessel's identity remains unclear. The pause has drawn criticism from shipping industry groups who argue the evacuation should continue with added protections.