A cargo ship was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz on June 25, shortly after Iran issued a warning regarding unlawful crossings of the strait. The incident occurred approximately 14 kilometers southeast of Dahit, Oman, and was reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which is operated by the British Navy.

According to UKMTO, the vessel was struck on its starboard side by an unidentified object, resulting in damage to the bridge area. Fortunately, the captain reported no casualties or environmental impact from the attack. Two U.S. officials informed Reuters that the cargo ship was targeted by Iran while attempting to navigate through the Strait of Hormuz. A security source suggested that the vessel may have been hit by a drone.

The targeted ship was identified as the Ever Lovely, a container vessel flying the Singaporean flag. The attack prompted the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to suspend evacuation operations for approximately 11,000 sailors stranded due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This evacuation program had begun on the evening of June 23.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated, "I have decided to halt the evacuation plan to ensure that the necessary safety guarantees are maintained for the vessels on our evacuation list, as well as all ships operating in the area." He clarified that the attacked vessel was not part of the IMO's evacuation plan.

The attack occurred on the same day that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) demanded that vessels pass through the Strait of Hormuz via routes designated by them, warning of consequences for violators. The IRGC previously stated that certain authorities had announced new movement channels in the strait, which they deemed unacceptable.

On June 18, the UKMTO's Joint Maritime Information Centre reported that the southern movement route along the coast of Oman was guaranteed to be free of mines and was the recommended path, providing a series of coordinates for safe navigation.

The attack is likely to draw further attention to Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz in the future, a vital maritime route that facilitates approximately 20% of the world's oil and gas shipments during peacetime. Prior to the incident, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Iran could face consequences if it threatened or blocked vessels passing through the strait. Meanwhile, Tehran has signaled its intent to continue asserting control over this crucial shipping lane.