Iran’s armed forces attacked a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, halting efforts to evacuate around 11,000 seafarers stranded in the Persian Gulf, per U.S. and Iranian reports. The strike occurred as Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged Gulf Arab leaders in Bahrain to address regional security concerns.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards issued warnings to vessels, prohibiting alternative routes through Omani waters, which many ships had been using. This move followed Iran’s earlier threat to disrupt non-coordinated passage, citing safety risks.
The attack targeted the Ever Lovely, a Taiwanese-owned ship, damaging its bridge. UK Maritime Trade Operations confirmed the vessel was struck by an “unknown projectile,” 7.5 nautical miles southeast of Dahit, Oman.
Oil prices surged following the disruption, with Brent crude rising 2% to $75/barrel. Shipping associations highlighted the need for clearer U.S.-Iran agreements to manage Strait safety, as current protocols lack clarity.
Iranian officials blamed Oman’s role in offering alternative routes, claiming it undermined regional control. Oman, balancing U.S. pressure to avoid monetization with Iran’s demands for security cooperation, found itself in a precarious position.
Rubio emphasized during GCC talks that “international waterways belong to no nation,” rejecting Iran’s sole control claim. Gulf states welcome de-escalation efforts but remain wary of unresolved security issues, particularly Iran’s missile and drone capabilities unaddressed in preliminary peace talks.
Despite the crisis, shipping through the strait has increased this week, with 79 vessels transiting on Wednesday—the highest since March. Maersk and other carriers are cautiously resuming voyages after security assessments.
The strike underscores ongoing tensions between Iran’s insistence on route coordination and international efforts to normalize post-war maritime traffic.