The UN's International Maritime Organization has paused its escort operation for ships in the Strait of Hormuz, after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps struck a merchant vessel in the waterway, the organization announced Thursday night.
The UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) has suspended its convoy operation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, following an IRGC attack on a merchant ship in the strategic waterway, the organization announced late Thursday. The move effectively reverses the IMO's evacuation plan announced Wednesday, which had aimed to shepherd ships out of the strait amid Iran's ongoing blockade.
As The Zioneer reported at 23:16 Thursday, Iranian media first reported that the IRGC struck a cargo vessel near the strait; the vessel's identity and damage remain unconfirmed. The IMO's pause was announced after that attack, according to the organization's statement. The U.N. had begun evacuating ships on Wednesday, as The Zioneer reported at 12:42 that day.
The decision represents a marked reversal of the IMO's earlier posture. The IRGC closed the strait to Israel-linked vessels on June 20 and has been turning ships back, with analysts suggesting the IRGC may be seeking to prevent vessels from hitting naval mines. The U.N. evacuation effort had been the first organized attempt to de-escalate the standoff.
No details have been released on the target of the IRGC strike, whether the vessel was damaged, or if there were casualties. The IMO did not specify when or if the escort operation would resume.
2 developments
- DevelopingUN begins evacuation of ships from Strait of Hormuz
- DevelopingIRGC turns ships back in Strait of Hormuz, analyst suggests mine avoidance
- DevelopingUS Navy warns IRGC vessels in Persian: 'halt or we attack' near Strait of Hormuz
- DevelopingIRGC launches missile at vessel attempting to cross Strait of Hormuz
Source and signal
- Internal intake