Iran Strikes Ship in Hormuz, Halting UN Evacuation Mission Despite U.S. Peace Deal

The fragile understanding reached between the United States and Iran suffered a setback after a commercial vessel was struck in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, prompting the suspension of a United Nations operation to evacuate thousands of stranded seafarers. The attack underscored Tehran's continued ability to disrupt traffic through one of the world's most strategically important shipping lanes, despite last week's agreement to pursue a broader peace deal.

A U.S. official told CNN that the ship had been hit by an Iranian drone, although no further details were provided. Iran has not claimed responsibility for the incident. The strike came only hours after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that ships would be granted safe passage only if they followed routes approved by Iran, directly challenging the Trump administration's insistence that the waterway had reopened to normal international navigation.

According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, the cargo vessel was struck on its starboard side by an unidentified projectile, causing damage to the bridge. No injuries or environmental damage were reported. Maritime authorities advised all vessels transiting the area to proceed with caution and immediately report any suspicious activity.

The incident forced the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to halt its recently launched evacuation effort for hundreds of vessels and more than 11,000 seafarers stranded in the Persian Gulf since the conflict began. "I have always reiterated that the safety of the seafarers remains paramount," IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said. "Therefore, to ensure a coordinated approach and navigational safety, the evacuation plan will be paused until further clarity is obtained."

Dominguez noted that the vessel targeted in Thursday's attack was not participating in the IMO evacuation framework but said the incident highlighted the need to guarantee that humanitarian operations can continue without placing crews at additional risk. The evacuation mission had only begun days earlier following the signing of the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding.

Shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz had been steadily recovering. MarineTraffic data showed 70 vessel crossings on Wednesday, the highest daily total since fighting erupted in late February, with most ships traveling close to Oman's coastline. Iran, however, continues to view control of the waterway as a key bargaining chip in negotiations.

Following the attack, the newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority warned that ships using routes not authorized by Tehran could no longer expect safe passage. "The consequences of traveling on unauthorized routes will be the responsibility of the owner, operator, and commander of the vessel," the agency said in a statement.

Under last week's 14-point agreement, Washington pledged to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without transit tolls for 60 days and lifted its naval blockade of Iranian ports. The arrangement also gives Iran a formal role, alongside Oman, in overseeing commercial traffic through the strait. During the conflict, Tehran had introduced transit charges for vessels, a practice the Trump administration has repeatedly rejected.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated Washington's position during a meeting with Gulf foreign ministers in Bahrain. "The reality of it is that no country on Earth has a right to charge for the use of international waterways, and that will never be an acceptable condition of any deal," Rubio said. A joint statement issued after the meeting confirmed that Gulf states "rejected any tolls, fees, or attempts to assert control over the Strait."

Although Iranian officials have argued that future payments could be presented as service fees rather than tolls, Oman said Thursday that any future arrangements governing the strait would not include transit charges. Rubio dismissed the distinction, saying, "You can call it a toll, you can call it a fee, whatever you want to call it. It's a game of semantics."

Markets reacted to the renewed tensions, with Brent crude oil rising about 2% to close near $74 per barrel after having fallen sharply following last week's agreement. The memorandum is intended to halt hostilities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and provide Iran with economic relief in exchange for its commitment not to develop nuclear weapons. However, major issues, including Tehran's nuclear program and its stockpile of enriched uranium, remain unresolved and are expected to be addressed during expert-level negotiations beginning June 30.

The diplomatic process has already faced multiple obstacles, including renewed clashes between Israel and Hezbollah that threatened to derail negotiations. Although Iran insists the regional conflicts are inseparable, Rubio has sought to keep the U.S.-Iran talks separate from developments in Lebanon. The agreement nevertheless declares an end to hostilities across all fronts, including Lebanon.

The Trump administration has also grown increasingly frustrated with Israel's military campaign against Hezbollah. Rubio's decision to omit Israel from his current Middle East tour has been viewed by some analysts as a sign of growing tensions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.