Iran Attacks Ship in Strait of Hormuz to Enforce Tehran-Approved Route

Vessel skirting Omani waters attacked

Iran attacked a ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz on June 25 after it failed to use a route designated by Tehran. The move was aimed at stopping vessels from using Omani territorial waters to pass through the strait outside Iran's control.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, attacked the Singapore-flagged container ship Ever Lovely in Omani waters that day. A senior US official told the newspaper that an attack drone hit the ship's bridge.

The attack came hours after Iran's navy warned ships not to use "unauthorized" routes through the strait. The IRGC also said at least three vessels, including a large oil tanker, turned back after receiving Iranian warnings while trying to pass through the waterway that day. Those ships were also attempting to transit the strait along the Omani coast.

Earlier, Oman said it would work with the International Maritime Organization to provide a safe, toll-free temporary tanker route along its coastline. The route designated by Iran passes through Iranian territorial waters. The Journal said the arrangement would make it easier to impose transit fees after the ceasefire period by steering ships onto routes designated by Tehran.

The Journal also reported that Iran estimates it could generate as much as $40 billion a year by charging fees for security, safety and environmental services tied to the strait. The plan calls for sharing that revenue with neighboring countries rather than keeping it solely for Iran. Iran is also receptive to US participation in the arrangement, the Journal reported.

Lee Sang-eun, Washington correspondent selee@hankyung.com