The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported this, citing two U.S. officials. According to them, the incident occurred on Thursday, June 25. The attack damaged the bridge, from which the ship is navigated and controlled. None of the crew members were injured. A few hours before the incident, the Iranian Navy warned ships not to use routes through the strait that had not been coordinated with Tehran.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) later clarified that the vessel was struck 7.5 nautical miles (13.9 km) from Dahit, Oman. Following this, the United Nations International Maritime Organization announced the suspension of the evacuation of more than 11,000 seafarers who have remained in the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran. Several ships were successfully evacuated, but “necessary security guarantees” are needed to continue the operation, noted the organization’s head, Arsenio Domínguez. On June 18, a peace agreement between Iran and the U.S. went into effect, one of the provisions of which calls for free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the route, which is critical to global trade, is fully open to shipping. He noted that a “veritable flood of oil” is now flowing into the market. At the same time, the Financial Times reported that shipowners remain confused due to conflicting instructions from Washington, Tehran, and insurance companies.
In particular, Iran requires ships to choose routes close to the Iranian coast and obtain permission from the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, which was established in May. For their part, the U.S. and some Western insurance companies are recommending that ships follow a route on the Omani side of the strait under air cover from U.S. forces. The UKMTO has also urged mariners to be aware of mines and naval forces when transiting the strait.
