UPDATE: Iran attacks Evergreen vessel in Strait of Hormuz 

The Gulf of Oman runs up to the southern edge of the Strait of Hormuz, the maritime chokepoint controlled by Iran. Representatives from the U.S. and Iran have been negotiating a permanent end to the conflict that has shaken global shipping.

Evergreen and Iranian forces confirmed the drone attack.

Evergreen in an email to FreightWaves said that the attack occurred while the Ever Lovely was transiting the strait in accordance with a route organized by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) security monitor.

“Following an immediate onboard inspection, the crew confirmed that the damage was limited to the eaves of the bridge and two of the bridge windows,” Evergreen said. “All crew members remain safe as does the vessel itself and all cargo.  The main engine, navigational equipment, and all essential shipboard systems are operating normally. As its seaworthiness has not been affected, Ever Lovely has safely transited the Strait of Hormuz and continues her scheduled voyage.

The company said that two other container ships, the Ever Unicorn and Ever Lotus, completed their own transits through the strait safely without incidents. All ships operated by Evergreen Line have departed the Persian Gulf.

Iran’s Navy said it would enforce restrictions against ships not using routes authorized by Tehran. The United Nation’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) had been coordinating a corridor with Oman, the latter said in a statement on social media.

After the incident, the IMO said it was suspending until further notice its support for the vessel movement process.

The latest reporting says U.S.-Iran talks are still moving, but with mixed signals: Trump and U.S. officials are describing the negotiations as constructive, while Iranian officials are publicly contradicting some U.S. claims and stressing caution.

On the Strait of Hormuz, the immediate issue is whether any deal will include limits on Iran’s ability to interfere with shipping or levy tolls, and U.S. officials have been talking about keeping the waterway open as part of the broader diplomatic package.

This article was updated June 26 to add information from Evergreen.

Read more articles by Stuart Chirls here.

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