UN pauses Hormuz ship escorts after vessel is hit off Oman
Why it matters: The halt clouds a new U.S.-backed route meant to free stranded ships, with oil prices rising as transit risks return.
The International Maritime Organization halted its new ship-escort effort through the Strait of Hormuz on June 25 after a vessel was struck by a projectile off Oman, hours after Iran warned ships not to use routes it had not approved. The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations center said the ship was damaged but reported no injuries or environmental impact. Reuters, citing U.S. officials, reported Iran fired on the vessel, identified by multiple sources as the Singapore-flagged Ever Lovely. The IMO said the ship was not part of its evacuation program, launched June 23 to move hundreds of stranded vessels and thousands of seafarers out of the Gulf via routes through Iranian or Omani waters with U.S. oversight.