IMO pauses evacuation of ships from the Strait of Hormuz following attack

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has temporarily suspended operations to escort hundreds of stranded ships and 11,000 seafarers through the Strait of Hormuz. This decision follows a reported projectile attack on the Singapore-flagged cargo ship Ever Lovely near Oman. British maritime agency UKMTO confirmed the incident, while U.S. officials alleged that Iran was responsible for firing on the vessel. Conversely, the Iranian Persian Gulf Strait Authority warned that ships using unauthorized routes do so at their own risk and are not guaranteed safety. The evacuation plan, established after a U.S.-Iran ceasefire framework, was intended to utilize two temporary sea lanes to clear the area after months of regional conflict. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated the pause is necessary to reconfirm safety guarantees for the vessels involved. President Donald Trump has previously warned that failures in the ceasefire agreement could result in renewed U.S. military action.