IMO pauses Hormuz evacuation after ship attack outside designated route

An attack struck a cargo ship on Thursday in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting the International Maritime Organisation to suspend its evacuation plan for vessels and crews. The vessel was located 7.5 nautical miles off Oman's coast and was not traveling under the IMO evacuation framework that began Tuesday evening, according to UKMTO reporting cited across multiple outlets.

" The vessel was struck on the starboard side by an unknown projectile that damaged the bridge, with no casualties reported.

Iran has previously stated it intends to introduce maritime service fees after a 60-day toll-free period established under a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding signed last week. A White House official said President Trump has been clear that Iran cannot subvert the free flow of traffic in the strait.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Bahrain, said the United States wants a deal but "we don't want a deal at any price" and rejected any arrangement that would allow Tehran to charge fees.

Gulf ministers issued a joint statement insisting that "free, unconditional and unrestricted navigation" of the strait is essential. Oman released a map Wednesday of a new temporary shipping route running close to its coast, coordinated with the IMO. Iran's Revolutionary Guards later denounced the corridor without naming Oman.

Separately, the State Department said U.S.-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon scheduled to conclude Thursday will continue for another day and resume Friday morning. The discussions occur against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.