By Ginika Igboke
Commercial shipping continued to move cautiously through the Strait of Hormuz on Friday despite heightened security concerns following an attack on a cargo vessel a day earlier, as Iran renewed warnings that ships should follow routes approved by Tehran while the United States and its allies insisted that international navigation must remain unrestricted.
Although maritime traffic has resumed, vessel movements remain well below normal levels as shipping companies continue to assess the security situation in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
The Strait of Hormuz serves as the primary gateway for a significant portion of the world’s oil and natural gas exports, making any disruption to traffic a matter of global economic concern. The recent tensions have prompted shipping firms, governments, and international organizations to closely monitor vessel movements through the narrow passage.
Marine tracking data showed that at least 37 commercial vessels had either successfully passed through the strait or were in the process of transiting the waterway following Thursday’s attack on a container ship operated by Taiwan-based shipping company Evergreen Marine.
Despite repeated warnings from Iranian authorities, many ship operators continued using an alternative navigation route that remains outside Iranian territorial waters.
According to shipping data, 20 of the vessels traveled along a southern corridor hugging the coastline of the United Arab Emirates before turning around Oman’s Musandam Peninsula, allowing them to avoid sailing close to Iran’s coastline.
Iran has strongly objected to the growing use of that alternative route.
Officials in Tehran argue that ships using corridors outside Iran’s designated navigation system cannot be guaranteed safe passage through the region.
The country’s newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority warned that vessels refusing to follow Iranian-approved transit lanes would no longer receive safety guarantees from Iranian authorities.
The agency further stated that any incidents involving ships choosing alternative routes would be the responsibility of the vessels and their owners.
Iranian officials have maintained that coordination with Tehran remains essential for safe navigation through the strategically important waterway.
Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency reported Friday that three oil tankers reversed course and returned toward the Persian Gulf after receiving warnings from Iranian naval forces.
The report did not specify the identities of the vessels or provide further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the reported warnings.
The latest developments underscore continuing disagreements over how commercial shipping should operate following the recent ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States.
Although the two countries reached an initial understanding aimed at restoring maritime traffic after months of conflict, both governments continue to publicly disagree over the interpretation of key provisions governing access to the strait.
The United States has consistently maintained that the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway through which commercial vessels have the right to travel freely without interference or additional restrictions.
Iran, however, insists that as a coastal state bordering the strait, it retains an important role in coordinating maritime traffic and ensuring regional security.
The dispute intensified after an attack Thursday involving the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel Ever Lovely, operated by Evergreen Marine.
The vessel was traveling near Oman’s northern coastline when it was struck on its starboard side by what company officials described as an “unknown object.”
According to Evergreen Marine, the impact damaged several bridge windows but did not injure any crew members.
The company also said the cargo remained secure throughout the incident.
Despite the damage, the ship’s propulsion system and navigational equipment continued functioning normally, allowing the vessel to safely complete its transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
Company officials stated that the vessel’s seaworthiness was not compromised by the incident.
Iran has not publicly acknowledged responsibility for the attack or commented on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
President Donald Trump, however, offered his own account in a social media post Friday.
According to Trump, Iran launched four drones toward commercial vessels operating in the area.
He said one drone struck the upper deck of a large cargo ship, causing damage but allowing the vessel to continue its voyage.
Trump further claimed that U.S. forces intercepted and destroyed the remaining three drones before they could reach their targets.
Calling the incident a violation of the recently negotiated ceasefire agreement, the president criticized Tehran’s actions and warned against further attacks on international shipping.
The statements have not been independently verified, and Iranian officials have not responded publicly to the allegations.
Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority condemned Thursday’s incident, describing the attack as both unjustified and contrary to international law.
The agency expressed concern over the safety of commercial shipping and emphasized the importance of protecting civilian vessels operating in international waters.
International maritime authorities are also closely monitoring developments.
Earlier this week, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations agency responsible for shipping safety, launched an initiative designed to assist approximately 11,000 seafarers stranded in the region following months of conflict.
The organization coordinated an alternative shipping corridor intended to facilitate the safe evacuation of commercial vessels from the Persian Gulf.
However, following Thursday’s attack, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez announced that implementation of the evacuation framework had been temporarily suspended while additional security assessments are conducted.
Dominguez noted that the damaged vessel was not participating in the IMO’s coordinated evacuation program at the time of the incident.
The suspension reflects growing concerns that even carefully planned maritime operations may face heightened risks amid ongoing regional tensions.
At the center of the dispute is the ceasefire memorandum signed by the United States and Iran last week.
Under the agreement, Iran pledged to make its best efforts to facilitate the safe passage of commercial vessels between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman for a period of 60 days without imposing transit charges.
Since the agreement was announced, however, disagreements have emerged regarding exactly how that commitment should be implemented.
While Washington argues that commercial shipping must enjoy unrestricted freedom of navigation through international waters, Tehran maintains that vessels should coordinate closely with Iranian authorities and use routes approved by its maritime agencies.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi reiterated that position on Friday.
He stated that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz cannot be guaranteed through what he described as vague arrangements or parallel navigation routes established without Iran’s participation.
According to Gharibabadi, any long-term framework governing commercial shipping must be developed in consultation with Iran because of its geographic position along the strait.
He warned that alternative transit corridors created without Iranian approval could ultimately be suspended.
His remarks came shortly after a meeting between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and foreign ministers representing the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Following that meeting, participating governments issued a joint statement rejecting any attempts to impose tolls, fees, or exclusive control over navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The statement reaffirmed support for unrestricted commercial access to one of the world’s most vital maritime trade corridors.
Although ships continue to move through the waterway, industry analysts say many shipping companies remain cautious.
Traffic volumes remain significantly below pre-conflict levels, with many operators choosing to delay departures or reroute vessels until greater clarity emerges regarding security conditions.
As diplomatic negotiations continue alongside military tensions, the Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point of global attention, with governments, energy markets, and the international shipping industry closely watching every new development in a region critical to global commerce.
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