The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has suspended its evacuation and escort initiative for commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
The decision follows a reported attack on a ship within the waterway by Iranian forces, marking a significant escalation in the security environment for global shipping routes.
The UN agency urged shipowners to independently assess the risks of transiting the strait.
The suspension halts ongoing efforts to guide commercial traffic through the narrow passage, which handles a substantial portion of the world's seaborne oil trade.
The move signals a deterioration in the safety guarantees previously provided by the international body.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies.