Five vessels attacked in Gulf, Strait of Hormuz
Iranian explosives-laden boats attacked two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters, setting them on fire and killing one crew member, after shells hit three ships in Gulf waters.
The latest attacks signal an escalation in the conflict between Iran and US-Israeli forces, bringing to at least 16 the number of ships hit in the region since the conflict began.
Shipping in the Gulf and the narrow Strait of Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of the world’s oil, has ground to a near halt since the United States and Israel began attacking Iran on February 28, sending global oil prices to highs not seen since 2022.
The ships targeted in late-night gunboat attacks in the Gulf near Iraq on Wednesday local time were the Marshall Islands-flagged Safesea Vishnu and the Zefyros, which was loading fuel for Iraq, two Iraqi port officials said.
“We pulled the body of a foreign crew member from the water,” a port security official said, as Iraqi rescue teams continued to search for other missing sailors.
It was not immediately clear which ship this person was associated with.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned that any ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz would be targeted.
US President Donald Trump threatened to increase attacks if Iran continues to block the strait.
Precious Shipping, the operator of the ship registered in Thailand, said in a statement that the Thai-flagged Mayuree Naree dry cargo ship was hit by “two bullets of unknown origin” while passing through the strait in the early hours of Wednesday, causing a fire and damage to the engine room.
“Three crew members were reported missing and are believed to be trapped in the engine room,” Precious Shipping said.
“The company is working with the relevant authorities to rescue the three missing crew members,” he said, adding that the remaining 20 crew members were safely evacuated and disembarked in Oman.
In the images provided by the Thai navy, smoke was seen coming from the rear of the ship.
The Iranian Guard said in a statement carried by the Tasnim news agency that the ship “was opened fire by Iranian fighters”, marking the first direct engagement by the Guard who had previously fired missiles or drones.
The Japanese-flagged container ship ONE Majesty also suffered minor damage from an unknown projectile on Wednesday 46 kilometers northwest of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, two maritime security firms said.
A spokesman for Japanese owner Mitsui OSK Lines and the ship’s leaser, Ocean Network Express, said the ship was hit while anchored in the Gulf and an inspection of the hull revealed minor damage above the waterline.
All crew members were safe, officials said, adding that the ship remained fully operational and seaworthy. The business owner said that the cause of the incident has not yet been determined and the investigation is ongoing.
A third ship, a bulk carrier, was also hit by an unknown projectile about 50 km northwest of Dubai, maritime security firms said.
Maritime risk management company Vanguard stated that the bullet damaged the hull of the Marshall Islands-flagged Star Gwyneth, adding that the ship’s crew was safe.
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