The International Maritime Organization, a specialized United Nations agency, has temporarily paused its evacuation operation in and around the Strait of Hormuz after a vessel was attacked in the Gulf of Oman. A US official told CNN the ship was hit in an Iranian drone attack, but did not provide further details. Iran has not claimed responsibility.

Evacuation Operation Paused

The pause comes days after the IMO said an agreement between the United States and Iran had opened the way for the evacuation of more than 11,000 stranded seafarers from the Persian Gulf region. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said he had been informed of an attack Thursday in the Gulf of Oman on a vessel that had passed through the Strait of Hormuz, adding that the ship was not operating under the IMO evacuation framework.

Dominguez noted that Thursday is the Day of the Seafarer, and said the moment highlights the need to ensure that efforts to evacuate “the thousands of seafarers stranded in the Persian Gulf” can continue without putting them at risk of becoming “collateral victims in this geopolitical conflict.”

Investigation Underway

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said Thursday that a cargo vessel was struck on its starboard side by an unknown projectile, damaging the bridge. The ship’s master reported no casualties and no environmental impact, the notice said. Authorities are investigating, and vessels were advised to transit with caution and report suspicious activity.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.