U.S. Strikes Iranian Coastal Targets After Merchant Ship Hit; IMO Suspends Hormuz Evacuation Plan

Overview

• A container ship identified as the Ever Lovely was struck near Oman's coast on Thursday, suffering damage to its bridge while its crew reported no casualties.
• The International Maritime Organization temporarily suspended its evacuation and escort program after the attack, saying it must reconfirm security guarantees for ships and crews that had been leaving the Gulf.
• U.S. military forces carried out airstrikes on Iranian missile and drone storage sites and coastal radar installations, with Washington saying the strikes were retaliation for attacks on commercial vessels.
• Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have insisted that only Tehran-designated routes guarantee safe passage, warned ships against using unapproved corridors and vowed prompt responses to U.S. strikes.
• Commercial transit through the Strait of Hormuz remains fragile, recent incidents have lifted price volatility in oil markets, and the suspension of the IMO program increases the risk of longer disruption and further military escalation.