An unidentified cargo ship was struck near Oman on June 25th, just hours after several freighters attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz reversed course. This incident threatened the fragile confidence in a rapid reopening of the vital energy shipping corridor, leading to a rise in oil prices. Brent crude touched session highs above $75 a barrel following reports that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacked a Singapore-flagged cargo ship. The UK Maritime Trade Operations classified the incident as an attack, and the U.S. is investigating responsibility.
The attack prompted the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN’s global shipping regulator, to pause its Strait of Hormuz evacuation plan. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated that the vessel attacked was not operating under the IMO’s evacuation framework, and the plan would be on hold until further clarity on safety could be obtained. The IMO had launched an initiative to escort hundreds of stranded ships and thousands of seafarers out of the strait, using routes via Iranian and Omani waters with U.S. oversight.
Earlier on the same day, at least three commercial vessels, including two oil supertankers, reportedly turned around while attempting to cross Hormuz outbound on the Oman side. Shipping intelligence company Windward Maritime indicated these U-turns occurred after the IRGC used radio calls and social media to instruct vessels to turn back. Iran has repeatedly asserted that ships cannot pass through Hormuz without its permission, with Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority stating that vessels outside its designated routes would not be guaranteed safe passage. The naval arm of the Revolutionary Guard specifically warned on Thursday that the alternative route, laid out by Oman and the IMO, was established without notice or coordination with Iran and was considered "unacceptable and completely dangerous" and prohibited.
Traffic through Hormuz had seen a recent increase after an interim peace deal between the U.S. and Iran took effect last week. Last week, 125 vessels crossed the strait, a significant increase from 33 the week prior, according to Lloyd's List Intelligence. However, this was still below the daily pre-war average of 130 vessels. Despite the attack, some ships successfully transited the strait, including the Maersk Baltimore container ship and another chartered vessel, with U.S. military support. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during a visit to the Gulf, reaffirmed Washington's commitment to the new route and ensuring safe transit through the strait.
