UN agency pauses Hormuz ship evacuation plan after attack
IMO Middle East Gulf evacuation pause after Oman attack raises shipping risk See how the Strait of Hormuz dispute is disrupting vessel safety and trade
The International Maritime Organization has temporarily paused a plan to help ships and seafarers leave the Middle East Gulf after a vessel was attacked near Oman, according to the agency.
The decision comes after a container ship was hit by an unknown projectile in the Gulf of Oman. A U.S. official said Washington was reviewing reports that Iran was behind the strike.
The evacuation effort had been launched to help stranded vessels move through the Strait of Hormuz after a temporary U.S.Iran peace deal eased tensions. But Iran’s military has warned ships not to use the southern route approved by the IMO, adding uncertainty to traffic through the key shipping lane.