A container ship was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a US official, effectively halting the United Nations' ongoing evacuation operation for vessels stranded in the waterway.
The attack occurred just hours after several freighters had turned back while attempting to cross the strait, signaling a sharp deterioration in transit security.
The United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) confirmed the suspension of its initiative, which had been working to clear hundreds of ships and approximately 11,000 crew members from the region.
The incident undermines recent efforts to restore normal shipping traffic through the chokepoint, which handles roughly one-fifth of global oil trade.
With the evacuation paused, the immediate risk to maritime assets and crew safety has escalated, likely prompting insurers to reassess war-risk premiums for vessels operating in or near the Persian Gulf.
The strike also casts doubt on the feasibility of any near-term return to routine commercial transit, as shipping companies face renewed uncertainty over route viability.