A Singapore-flagged cargo ship, Ever Lovely, was hit by an unknown projectile on its starboard side 7.5 nautical miles southeast of Dahit, in Oman’s Musandam exclave, in the Strait of Hormuz on June 25, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. The impact caused damage to the ship’s bridge. UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported, "A cargo vessel has been hit on the starboard side by an unknown projectile, causing damage to the bridge. Master has reported no casualties and no environmental impact" [2]. No injuries or environmental harm were reported.Multiple sources confirmed the vessel continued through the strait and exited the area around 15:30 local time [1].
The attacker’s identity remains unclear, though the strike was likely caused by a drone [5]. The incident followed another attack on June 12 when an unknown projectile hit a separate vessel off Oman in the same region [2, 3, 4]. The attacks took place amid ongoing disputes over administration and transit fees in the strategic waterway between Iran and Oman [2, 3, 4].
Oman’s foreign minister asserted on the day of the attack that Oman’s plans do not include imposing transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz, stating, "[Oman’s] plans do not entail the imposition of any transit fees" [2, 3, 4]. In contrast, Iran has insisted it will maintain control of the strait and threatened sanctions on vessels using the route without Tehran’s permission [2, 3, 4, 5]. Iran reportedly plans to charge maritime service fees despite a recent US-Iran 14-point agreement calling for safe commercial passage without charge for 60 days [1]. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said, "The only authorised route" is the one announced by Iran [3].
The attack sent oil prices higher, with Brent crude briefly rising above $75 per barrel [6]. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned any tolls, saying, "No country is allowed to impose tolls on the Strait of Hormuz, which is an international waterway" [1].
Following the strike on Ever Lovely, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) paused a planned evacuation of over 11,000 sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz to ensure safety [1]. UN IMO chief Arsenio Dominguez said, "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" [1]. The Ever Lovely was not part of the evacuation framework [1].
The situation remains tense after multiple incidents in the strait, and vessels in the area have been advised to transit with caution by UKMTO [1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7].
