EVACUATIONS of vessels trapped in the Middle East Gulf, led by the International Maritime Organization, have come to an abrupt halt just two days after being announced, following an attack on a vessel attempting to transit the strait.

Containership Ever Lovely (IMO: 9629110) was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz hours after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy warned vessels not to use the southern route approved by the IMO this week.

IMO secretary general Arsenio Dominguez said that the vessel “did not transit under IMO’s evacuation framework.” But an Evergreen media statement said that the vessel was “was navigating according to the route recommended by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations.”

Dominguez said that he had “decided to temporarily pause its implementation in order to reconfirm that the necessary safety guarantees continue to be in place for the ships on our evacuation list and all those in the region.”

Since the start of the crisis, Dominguez had been adamant that evacuation plans would only begin once safety could be guaranteed.

“I have always reiterated that the safety of the seafarers remains paramount. Therefore, to ensure a coordinated approach and navigational safety, the evacuation plan will be paused until further clarity is obtained.”

Tankers began ballasting towards the MEG in hopes of capturing a first-mover advantage in lifting barrels from the region once the strait opened after the memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran was signed.

The surge in tanker supply in the region, stemming from risk de-escalation, had caused tanker rates from the MEG to China to fall. But the reignition of attacks today could reverse this trend, given the heightened risk in the area.

Hours after the attack, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority issued a warning to vessels that do not comply with Tehran.

“PGSA advises that vessel passages outside designated routes are not covered by the Safe Passage Guarantee, insurance, or related liabilities. Any consequences arising from unauthorized routing shall be the sole responsibility of the vessel owner, charterer, and master,” it said.

Iran foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghhi said that talks with Oman on the future of transits through the Strait continued.

“We re-emphasized that Iran and Oman will conduct dialogue ‘to define future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz.’ We’re determined and will do so in discussion with our neighbours.”

The Institute for the Study of War alleged that the attack was part of Iran’s strategy to reestablish control of the strait.

“The recent Iranian threats and attacks likely serve as an implicit warning to Gulf countries—particularly Oman, given the Omani-IMO efforts described above—that Iran will continue to attack international shipping if they do not cooperate with Iran.”

It attributes this to one of the terms in the memorandum of understanding signed with the US that “requires Iran to coordinate with Oman and the other Gulf countries on the future management of the strait, which likely explains Iran’s efforts to do so in recent days.”

“The Gulf states appear to be resisting Iran’s efforts to control the strait and impose fees on maritime traffic,” ISW said following the release of a joint statement by the US and Gulf countries yesterday, opposing tolls, fees or any attempts to control traffic through the strait.