An attack on a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz has forced the United Nations to pause its effort to evacuate stranded sailors from the waterway, even as the United States warned Iran against trying to collect transit fees from vessels passing through the strategic passage. The strike on the container vessel Ever Lovely on Thursday, 25 June 2026, came at a delicate moment, with Washington and Tehran negotiating a broader deal to end their war and the safety of one of the world's busiest oil corridors suddenly in the spotlight. Within hours, the Iranian agency that claims to control traffic through the strait issued a warning, the UN's shipping body suspended its rescue operation for hundreds of vessels and thousands of sailors trapped in the Gulf, and the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog said any deal would be meaningless without a 'very robust' verification system to stop Iran from building a bomb.
Attack On Ever Lovely Forces UN To Halt Its Rescue Mission
According to reports from the New York Times and several other American media outlets, Iran targeted a container ship in the strait. Soon after the incident, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, the Iranian agency that claims to control traffic through the waterway, posted on X: 'Any transit outside the routes set by the PGSA will not be guaranteed safe passage.' The maritime monitoring agency UKMTO had already reported that a ship in the strait was hit by a projectile on Thursday, 25 June 2026, and several American media outlets attributed the attack to Iran. Taiwan's container shipping company Evergreen Marine confirmed that one of its ships was struck by an 'unknown object' while transiting the strait, though the crew, the vessel and its cargo were all reported safe. Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) identified the ship as the Singapore-registered Ever Lovely. The MPA said the bridge area of Ever Lovely suffered minor damage from an unknown projectile while exiting the strait on 25 June. The authority clarified that the ship has already crossed the Strait of Hormuz and is heading to its next destination, though it did not disclose the vessel's final destination. Confirming Evergreen Marine's statement, the MPA said all 21 crew members are safe. It was after this incident that the UN temporarily halted its active efforts to evacuate sailors stranded in the strait.
IAEA Chief's Blunt Message: Intentions Alone Are Not Enough
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told reporters in Japan on Friday, 26 June, that a 'very robust' verification system must be put in place to stop Iran from building nuclear weapons once the Middle East conflict ends. 'In my view, the goal of this recent US-Iran agreement is to ensure that nuclear weapons are not developed in Iran. The Iranian government has made it completely clear that this is not its intention,' Grossi said. 'But intentions alone are certainly not enough. A very strong verification framework needs to be put on the ground as soon as practically possible,' the IAEA chief added. Grossi also said the agency has only just 'begun with difficulty' discussions with Iran on the future of Tehran's uranium stockpile following the preliminary agreement with the US. The UN's nuclear chief separately reiterated that Iran's promise not to build nuclear weapons will require 'very robust' verification, as the United States and the Islamic Republic negotiate a lasting agreement to end their war. Iran's nuclear program remains one of the biggest obstacles in talks to end the Middle East war, which began with large-scale US-Israeli strikes in late February. Iran and the US signed a preliminary agreement last week to end the conflict, and the talks that followed are expected to cover several contentious issues including the nuclear program.
US Strikes Iran Again As Both Sides Trade Warnings
US Central Command confirmed in a statement on Friday that American armed forces carried out military strikes on Iran. The statement said American aircraft targeted Iran's missile and drone storage facilities along with the country's coastal radar centres, a move taken in response to Tehran's attack on a merchant ship in the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump directly blamed Iran for the drone attack on the ship in the Strait of Hormuz and called it a 'stupid violation' of the ceasefire agreement. Trump also said that despite the recent American military strikes, Iran still retains 'some' military capability, though he clarified that this remaining strength is 'not very much.' Iranian media reported that a projectile landed in an area near a pier in the southern Iranian city of Sirik; earlier that same Friday, warning shots had been fired in the Strait of Hormuz at ships 'violating the rules.' Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed on Saturday that they had targeted American military bases in the region in response to the fresh US strikes, though the Guards did not share detailed information about which bases were targeted. This statement followed an earlier one issued by the semi-official news agency ISNA, which had said the response of force to the new American strikes on Iran would be 'swift and decisive,' though that statement was later removed, per Reuters. US Vice President JD Vance said America would respond to every violent act with equal force. He wrote on X: 'Violence will be met with violence,' adding that if there is any disagreement over how the MOU is being implemented, they can pick up the phone.
Washington's Diplomatic Push: Rubio Reassures The Gulf, Announces A Lebanon-Israel Framework
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured the Arab allies of the Gulf on Thursday, 25 June, that any deal with Iran would fully account for their interests. The statement came at the conclusion of his Middle East tour, whose purpose was to present the Trump administration's initial Iran agreement to skeptical regional partners. Rubio sought to address Gulf states' concerns over the concessions being offered in the US-Iran talks, stressing that their security would remain a priority under all circumstances. On Friday, Rubio announced that following the conclusion of talks in Washington, Israel and Lebanon had agreed on a framework agreement. Separately, according to the UAE's state news agency WAM, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed spoke by phone with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Friday, 26 June 2026. In the conversation, he underlined the need for compliance with the terms of the US-Iran agreement and for the safety of maritime corridors, including freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran Tightens Its Grip On Hormuz, Warns Ships To Coordinate Directly
Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned on Thursday, 25 June 2026, that any ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz without proper permission would face consequences, a warning issued amid the US-Iran talks. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Friday, 26 June 2026, that safe passage for ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz cannot be guaranteed unless they coordinate directly with Iran. He also warned that any designated shipping route could be suspended if such coordination does not take place. The statement was posted on X, and came as Oman, together with the International Maritime Organization, announced temporary routes through the strait. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said bluntly on Friday that if Iran attacks Israel, it would be Tehran's biggest historic mistake. A day earlier, on Thursday, Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani had said Israel cannot remain in southern Lebanon forever, and if it does not withdraw willingly, it will have to return in defeat. Analysts believe the biggest casualty of the US-Iran deal may not necessarily be Israel's Iran policy, but the deal could seriously weaken Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political strength and his grip on his country's relationship with the US.
Lebanon Divided: Aoun Hails A Sovereignty Step, Hezbollah Supporters Protest
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said on Friday, 26 June 2026, that Israel has no choice but to withdraw from the Lebanese territories it has occupied. He further said that the Iran-US agreement, which has reduced fighting with Israel, reflects an American-Israeli defeat, and demanded that Israel withdraw from Lebanon unconditionally. On the other side, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called the framework agreement signed with Israel on Friday a first step toward restoring his country's full sovereignty. In a statement from the president's office, Aoun said, 'This framework agreement signed today is a first step' that will help Lebanese citizens return 'to their fully liberated land, and to homes that will certainly be rebuilt, under the sovereignty of the Lebanese state,' a state that has no partner in sovereignty over its own land and people. Aoun also vowed that efforts would continue until this goal is fully achieved, saying, 'There will be no more occupation, no prisoners, no subordination and no protection of anyone.' But the agreement also drew opposition, with Hezbollah supporters taking to the streets of Beirut late on Friday. According to the state National News Agency (NNA), Hezbollah supporters drove motorcycles through the streets of Beirut, including a central area near parliament and the main road leading to the airport, protesting 'the framework agreement declared between Lebanon and Israel.' Protesters blocked at least one road using burning tyres. A correspondent saw people riding motorcycles and chanting slogans along one route, along with temporary checkpoints set up by the Lebanese army across various roads in the capital. Meanwhile, according to Lebanese state media, the Israeli military dropped leaflets on a town in southern Lebanon on Friday, ordering residents to evacuate, the first such order since the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire took effect. The town is located near the boundary of the area held by Israeli troops inside southern Lebanon. A senior Lebanese military official said Israel had recently added this town to the area under its forces' control in southern Lebanon. Lebanese officials say Israeli soldiers are keeping close watch on the northern boundary of this area and firing at anyone approaching it, including civilians and Lebanese soldiers. The official said farmers had been continuously coming and going in Mansouri, but were not living there permanently.
What This Means For India And Global Trade
Crisil Ratings has said that the hit to corporate India's profitability from the Middle East conflict could turn out to be nearly half of the earlier estimate, provided the ceasefire between the US and Iran holds and the restoration of energy supplies continues. The agency's latest estimate is that the conflict could reduce Indian companies' operating margins by around 100 basis points in FY2027, compared with its earlier estimate of a 200 basis point decline, which was based on a scenario in which the conflict dragged on and maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted. This revised assessment comes against the backdrop of a sharp fall in crude oil prices after the Strait of Hormuz reopened, a development that came under a temporary US-Iran memorandum of understanding. However, Crisil cautioned that geopolitical risks in the region remain elevated and gas supplies could take longer to normalise. According to Indian refining sources, Tehran is trying to speed up its sales after Washington granted a temporary relief in sanctions, with several intermediaries offering Indian refineries Iranian oil at discounted rates. On Monday, 22 June 2026, the United States eased sanctions on Iran for 60 days following initial talks under a new peace agreement, opening a small window to resume energy trade. Sources say Indian refineries have been contacted directly by the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) as well as through intermediaries claiming to have been allocated oil by the Iranian state producer. Data also shows fertiliser shipments through the Strait of Hormuz are picking up pace again, though market analysts believe it will take time for these exports to return to pre-conflict levels and bring relief to the global market. Before the US and Israel launched the war on 28 February, roughly one-third of the world's traded urea, the world's most prominent fertiliser, and about half of seaborne sulphur, a key input, passed through this waterway. But with this crucial sea route largely closed for much of the war, the movement of these essential goods had dropped sharply.
Tanker Traffic Through Hormuz: Slower, But Still Flowing
According to ship tracking data, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was significantly lower on Friday, 26 June 2026, than earlier in the week, hours after Iran's shelling of a Taiwan-operated vessel. After the ship was damaged near the Omani side of the waterway, the UN's shipping agency temporarily paused its voluntary plan to safely evacuate hundreds of stranded vessels and thousands of sailors from the Gulf. Even so, Friday's ship tracking data from LSEG and MarineTraffic showed that at least four tankers, including three giant crude carriers capable of carrying up to 2 million barrels of oil, entered the Gulf to load oil. Separate shipping data showed two more supertankers entering the strait to collect Iranian oil, while an analysis by Kpler showed another tanker exiting via the Omani route of Hormuz carrying 2 million barrels of oil. Ships are continuing to cross the strait via Oman's coastal route despite Iran's warnings, even though overall traffic through the strait has fallen from its peak on Wednesday, 24 June 2026. Kpler's tracking data showed at least 42 cargo vessels, including oil, gas and dry cargo carriers such as fertiliser tankers, crossed the strait on Thursday, compared with a peak of 57 on Wednesday, 24 June 2026. Of these 42 vessels, ten were entering the Gulf while 32 were exiting, and half of all the ships chose the southern route running along the Omani coastline. On Friday, 26 June 2026, the head of the UN's maritime agency announced that around 115 ships and about 2,500 sailors had been safely evacuated from the Strait of Hormuz since Tuesday. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez shared this update a day after the organisation had temporarily suspended its plan to evacuate around 600 ships and 11,000 sailors following the strike on a vessel in the Gulf of Oman. At an online press conference, Dominguez said 115 vessels have departed the strait over the past three and a half days, and around 2,500 sailors have now reached safe locations.
Dubai's False Alarm, Ashura Amid Mourning, And Freed Sailors Reach Pakistan
UAE authorities issued a warning on Friday, 26 June 2026, about a possible missile attack on the city of Dubai. It was not immediately clear what triggered the alarm, which was issued shortly after 5:15 pm local time. Iran is suspected of carrying out a drone attack on an oil tanker near the coast of Oman on Thursday, and Tehran continues to challenge the region and the United States over control of the Strait of Hormuz, even though an interim peace agreement is currently in effect in the Iran war. Just minutes after the warning was issued, officials issued an 'all clear' message without providing any further details. Separately, residents of the UAE received an emergency message on their phones from the Interior Ministry on Friday warning of a 'potential missile threat,' which was withdrawn shortly afterwards, the first such warning in more than a month. The ministry then issued another notice asking people to 'disregard the previous warning,' which appeared to be a false alarm. However, some residents had already received another missile warning alert before this cancellation message. The Interior Ministry's mobile notification had said, 'Given the current situation, there is a possible missile threat, move to a safe location immediately,' which was quickly followed by another alert stating, 'The situation is currently safe. You may resume your normal activities.' Meanwhile, Shia Muslims observed Ashura, one of the most significant days on their calendar, on Friday, 26 June 2026, with huge crowds gathering in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and other parts of the world, commemorating the seventh-century martyrdom of Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. This year's observance comes primarily after the war between Shia-majority Iran and the US and Israel, who struck Iran on 28 February. Those strikes killed several senior officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The 86-year-old Khamenei was not only Iran's foremost political leader but also had the final say on all religious matters, and was held in deep respect by hundreds of millions of Shia around the world. Khamenei's funeral procession is planned for early July. In another development, Tehran said on Friday that 22 Iranian crew members from an oil tanker seized by the United States during the recent military confrontation have been transferred to Iran's consulate in Pakistan. According to Iran's state news agency IRNA, Pakistan, Iran's eastern neighbour that has been mediating talks with Washington, 'paved the way for the return of these 22 Iranian sailors whose oil tanker was seized by the United States.' The agency said the crew has been handed over to Iranian diplomats in Karachi and is expected to return to Iran in the coming days.
