{"id":196436,"date":"2026-07-08T14:51:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T14:51:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/196436\/"},"modified":"2026-07-08T14:51:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T14:51:09","slug":"imo-urges-ships-to-avoid-hormuz-as-u-s-strikes-iran-over-vessel-attacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/196436\/","title":{"rendered":"IMO Urges Ships to Avoid Hormuz as U.S. Strikes Iran Over Vessel Attacks"},"content":{"rendered":"

The security situation in the Strait of Hormuz deteriorated sharply on Wednesday after the United States launched a new wave of strikes<\/a> against Iranian military targets in response to attacks on commercial shipping, prompting the International Maritime Organization to urge the industry to avoid transiting the waterway if crew safety cannot be assured.<\/p>\n

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces struck more than 80 targets across Iran on Tuesday, including air defense systems, command-and-control networks, coastal radar sites, anti-ship missile capabilities and more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) small boats operating in and around the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n

The strikes came after Iran attacked three merchant vessels<\/a> transiting the strait: the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker\u00a0Al Rekayyat, the Saudi Arabia-flagged tanker\u00a0Wedyan, and the Liberia-flagged\u00a0Cyprus Prosperity. CENTCOM described the attacks as \u201ca clear and dangerous violation of the ceasefire\u201d that undermined freedom of navigation.<\/p>\n

\u201cU.S. forces remain postured and prepared to hold Iran accountable when the agreement is not adhered to or obeyed,\u201d CENTCOM said. <\/p>\n

The Trump administration on Tuesday also revoked its temporary sanctions waiver<\/a> for Iranian oil exports, replacing the relief granted just over two weeks ago under General License X with a 10-day wind-down period for existing transactions. The new license takes effect immediately and authorizes only activities necessary to unwind previously permitted business through July 17. No new purchases or loadings of Iranian crude, petroleum products or petrochemicals are permitted after July 7.<\/p>\n

Together, the renewed U.S. strikes and sanctions rollback mark a major escalation just weeks after Washington and Tehran agreed to a memorandum of understanding intended to end months of conflict and reopen one of the world\u2019s most important maritime chokepoints.<\/p>\n

President Donald Trump signaled that agreement may now be finished<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Speaking to reporters before a NATO summit in Turkey, Trump said the interim agreement was effectively \u201cover\u201d following Iran\u2019s latest attacks.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo me, I think it\u2019s over. I don\u2019t want to deal with them,\u201d Trump said. \u201cAs far as I\u2019m concerned, it\u2019s just a waste of time dealing with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

IMO issues strongest warning since ceasefire<\/p>\n

The renewed violence prompted one of the strongest warnings yet from IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, who condemned the attacks and urged shipowners, operators and flag states not to expose crews to unnecessary risk.<\/p>\n

\u201cI condemn the attacks over the past two days against several ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz,\u201d Dominguez said. \u201cThese reckless attacks have again placed innocent seafarers in grave danger. No seafarer should have to risk their life simply for doing their job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs long as the safety and security of crews cannot be assured, I urge flag States, shipowners, operators and all relevant authorities to avoid exposing seafarers to unnecessary danger by transiting the Strait.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dominguez said the latest attacks have further intensified the fear and uncertainty facing nearly 6,000 seafarers who remain stranded aboard vessels unable to safely depart the Persian Gulf.<\/p>\n

\u201cI call on all States concerned to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate the situation without delay, and facilitate the safe departure of the ships still trapped in the Gulf since the crisis began,\u201d he said. \u201cThe safety of seafarers must remain our foremost priority.\u201d<\/p>\n

The statement represents a notable shift from the cautious optimism that followed last month\u2019s ceasefire, when industry groups and naval forces had begun encouraging a gradual return to commercial traffic through designated shipping corridors.<\/p>\n

Iran blames Washington<\/p>\n

Iran rejected U.S. accusations that it had violated the agreement.<\/p>\n

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who has taken the lead in Iran\u2019s negotiations with Washington, accused the United States of repeatedly breaching the memorandum through renewed military strikes, reimposed oil sanctions, interference with Iranian management of the Strait of Hormuz, attacks on southern Iran and continued support for Israeli military operations in Lebanon.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe era of bullying and extortion is over,\u201d Ghalibaf said in a statement. \u201cIt leads nowhere. We don\u2019t fold.\u201d<\/p>\n

The latest exchange leaves the future of the U.S.-Iran agreement in doubt and raises fresh questions about the security of one of the world\u2019s most strategically important waterways.<\/p>\n

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