International Maritime Organization (IMO) officials have urged vessels to avoid the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing attacks on commercial ships, as the US military confirmed that the vast majority of Iranian strikes were unsuccessful. The US defense department stated that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted a tanker carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil, claiming it was traveling on an unauthorized route. The incident highlights growing tensions in the strategic waterway, a critical route for global oil shipments.
The IMO secretary-general, Arsenio Dominguez, emphasized that safe maritime operations cannot resume until the root causes of the conflict are resolved. In a statement, he reiterated that ships should avoid the area to minimize risk. The US military confirmed that while Iran launched attacks, they largely failed to damage vessels. The targeted tanker, however, was reportedly on an unauthorized route, according to Iranian officials.
This follows a series of incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, where attacks on commercial vessels have raised concerns among global shipping interests. The US has repeatedly called for de-escalation, while Iran has accused Western powers of interfering in regional affairs. The latest developments underscore the fragile security environment in one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors.
