Even as the blockages at the world’s key energy trade chokepoints are slowly clearing, the Strait of Hormuz remains a powder keg.
On June 25 local time, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) issued a statement announcing a temporary pause in its evacuation operations after a vessel was attacked in the Gulf of Oman. This decision stands until further clarification is available.
The IMO, a specialized UN agency headquartered in London, oversees global maritime affairs.
The organization explained that this pause is necessary to re-verify whether the safety guarantees for ships on the evacuation list—and other vessels in the region—remain valid. Consequently, the phased evacuation of stranded ships and crew in the Persian Gulf and surrounding waters has been put on hold.
IMO Secretary-General Luis Francisco clarified in the statement that they will collaborate closely with Iran, Oman, the US, and the international shipping industry to evacuate over 11,000 seafarers currently stranded in the Strait of Hormuz region.
At around 10:10 PM Beijing time on June 25, the Singapore-flagged container vessel “Long Li” was struck by an unidentified projectile approximately 7.5 nautical miles southeast of Dahit, Oman. The “Long Li,” a Long March Shipping L-class container ship, has a total capacity of 8,508 TEU.
Long March Shipping typically transports standard commercial cargo, including electromechanical products, daily consumer goods, and industrial parts via cross-regional trade containers.
The vessel had been滞留 (stranded) in the Persian Gulf for over 100 days prior to the incident, sailing from the port of Umm Qasir, Iraq, to Singapore. The impact damaged the bridge, but there were no casualties or marine pollution incidents.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations Organization (UKMTO) and several maritime security agencies speculate the ship was hit by a drone, though they have not identified the attacker. Some reports suggest the attack was carried out by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) because the ship used a southern route without IRGC authorization, but this has not been confirmed by Iranian authorities.
Currently, the Strait of Hormuz effectively operates on a “dual-north-south channel” model, controlled by Oman and Iran respectively. Both nations have signaled plans to move forward with joint regulatory agreements for shipping in the strait.
The Iran Persian Gulf Strait Authority announced on social media that all vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz must adhere to designated routes and procedures. Ships deviating from these routes will not be covered by safety guarantees or insurance. Any consequences arising from unauthorized route deviations will be borne entirely by the shipowners, operators, and captains.
In a notice released on the 19th, Iran stated that vessels submitting navigation applications to the Persian Gulf Strait Authority would receive rapid processing. Requirements include submitting applications via the department’s website or email at least 48 hours before arriving in the strait area.
Impacted by the latest attack, international oil prices rose on June 25. By market close, August light crude futures on the NYMEX rose $1.58 to $71.92 per barrel, a 2.25% increase; August Brent crude futures on the ICE London rose $1.52 to $75.26 per barrel, a 2.06% increase.
Following a recent agreement between the US and Iran, tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has rebounded significantly. Earlier that day, S&P Global Platts reported that 78 ships passed through the strait on the 24th, setting a new single-day record since the outbreak of hostilities.
Daily average traffic through the Strait of Hormuz this month has recovered to about 57% of pre-conflict levels. As of the 24th, 551 ships had passed through the strait this month, potentially marking the highest monthly volume since the conflict began.
Although most of the main deep-water navigation zones in the Strait of Hormuz lie within Oman’s territorial waters, Iran exercises de facto control. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea stipulates that coastal states of international straits cannot arbitrarily restrict passage or levy transit fees.
Oman and Iran have agreed to maintain dialogue through a joint working group established between their foreign ministries to cooperate on managing shipping and related costs. US intelligence assessments suggest Iran aims to fund post-war reconstruction by charging service fees for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran estimates that charging “safety and environmental service fees” for vessels in the Strait of Hormuz could generate $40 billion annually for relevant countries. Iran has repeatedly stated its intention to charge a “maritime service fee” rather than a transit fee, a stance that has drawn opposition from multiple parties.
Last month, the Iranian government announced the creation of a new body, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, to manage the strait. Its core regulations include charging a “safe passage fee” for transiting vessels, with sovereign regulatory powers extending to underwater pipelines and data cables passing through the strait.
At yesterday’s meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the US, both sides emphasized that “free, unconditional, and unrestricted” navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, including transit rights protected by international law, remains crucial for regional and global security. They strongly opposed any attempts to levy transit fees or exert control over the strait.
On June 16, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated at a regular press conference that the Strait of Hormuz is a strait used for international navigation, and the early restoration of safe and free passage serves the interests of all parties. Additionally, Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, recently stated that the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened unconditionally.
