Three cargo ships from multiple countries have been hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz.
Two bulk carriers from Thailand and the Marshall Islands and a container ship from Japan were all struck on Wednesday as the US-Iran conflict continues, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they fired at the Thailand-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Narree, around 10 nautical miles north of Oman, which resulted in a fire onboard.
The crew was forced to evacuate the ship, with 20 rescued by the Omani navy, according to Thailand’s Transport Ministry. Three crew members were reported missing.
The ministry said an explosion occurred in the stern of the ship and caused a fire in the engine compartment, where the crew had been working.
Thailand's navy said it was providing urgent assistance through international channels. Authorities are investigating the incident and UKMTO has advised any and all vessels to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to them.
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Earlier, the Japan-flagged container ship One Majesty had sustained minor damage from an unknown projectile 25 nautical miles northwest of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, two maritime security sources told Reuters.
Its crew members are safe and the vessel is sailing towards a safe anchorage, the sources added.
A third vessel, a bulk carrier, was also hit by an unknown projectile approximately 50 miles northwest of Dubai, maritime security firms said. UKMTO issued a report about the incident at 2am UTC.
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The projectile had damaged the hull of the Marshall Islands-flagged Star Gwyneth, maritime risk management company Vanguard said. The vessel's crew were reported safe.
UKMTO has received 17 reports of incidents affecting vessels operating in and around the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman since 28 February, when the United States and Israel launched strikes Iran.
The maritime monitor reported at least 13 ships have been attacked, while Iran now controls the Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz is a key strategic area of the region with 20 million barrels of oil passing through it each day a fifth of global oil consumption. Up to one-third of the world’s supply of liquefied natural gas passes through the key maritime chokepoint.
Iran has threatened to set fire to any ships attempting to pass through the strait. Iran’s state media claimed its forces set fire to a US oil tanker last week after striking it in the northern Gulf.
US president Donald Trump warned Tehran’s regime on Tuesday against putting mines in the Strait, or else they would see “military consequences” at a level “never seen before.”
He said on Truth Social: “If Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait, and we have no reports of them doing so, we want them removed, IMMEDIATELY!
“If for any reason mines were placed, and they are not removed forthwith, the Military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before. If, on the other hand, they remove what may have been placed, it will be a giant step in the right direction!
“Additionally, we are using the same Technology and Missile capabilities deployed against Drug Traffickers to permanently eliminate any boat or ship attempting to mine the Hormuz Strait. They will be dealt with quickly and violently. BEWARE!”
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