A cargo vessel was reportedly struck near Oman on Thursday, June 25, marking the first such incident in the Strait of Hormuz since the United States and Iran began a 60-day negotiation process on June 17. The incident was reported to have occurred at around 7:45 pm India time.
The incident came a day after Oman announced a temporary maritime corridor along its coastline, developed in coordination with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The Oman Maritime Security Centre (OMSC) issued guidelines for the route, including designated waiting areas and navigation points for ships passing through the strategic waterway, The Wire reported.
The newly announced route has been described as the “southern corridor,” but Iran has said it recognises only a “northern corridor” approved by Tehran. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned commercial shipping operators and the OMSC against using routes that had not received Iranian approval.
According to Iranian media reports, the IRGC criticised the announcement of a new shipping route, saying it was made without prior coordination with Iran and posed unacceptable risks.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a cargo ship had been hit on its starboard side by an unidentified projectile at 14:10 UTC, causing damage to the bridge. The vessel’s master reported that there were no casualties and no environmental damage.
Reports by the Associated Press suggested that opening an alternative route through the Strait of Hormuz could ease pressure on global trade and reduce Iran’s leverage in negotiations with the United States. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while visiting Gulf allies, reportedly said Washington supported the new arrangement. However, shipping activity through the strait, though increasing, remains below levels seen before the conflict.
Marine data analysis firm Lloyd’s List Intelligence reported that 125 vessels crossed the strait last week, compared with 33 the previous week.
On June 24, UKMTO said it was assisting an IMO-led effort to help vessels operating in the Gulf region. The organisation said the initiative involved cooperation between industry groups, coastal states, and regional partners to develop a safer and more organised approach for ship movements.
UKMTO clarified that its role was limited to sharing information with shipping operators and that decisions regarding vessel routes, timing, and movement remained the responsibility of shipmasters and owning companies. Participation in the process was voluntary.
The Associated Press also reported that on June 24, the IRGC had issued a warning over radio communication to a tanker, with a security firm reporting that an Iranian soldier threatened that the vessel was within missile range.
Although both Washington and Tehran have stated that the strait remains open to commercial shipping, negotiations over the conditions for reopening and future control arrangements are continuing. Reports suggest that Iran may seek greater influence over vessel movements, including possible fees for passage after the 60-day negotiation period.
Thousands of seafarers are reportedly stranded across the Persian Gulf region following the start of the US-Israel conflict with Iran on February 28.
Iran has maintained that only routes approved by its government are authorised for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC warned that vessels using other routes would be considered to be operating dangerously and could face action.
The report noted that Iran had previously used drone attacks against vessels travelling through the southern corridor as part of efforts to assert control over the waterway. The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a significant factor in regional tensions, giving Tehran influence over global energy trade, particularly oil and natural gas shipments.