At least three container ships were struck by gunfire on Wednesday in the Strait of Hormuz, according to maritime security sources and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which monitors shipping in the region.
Iran has imposed restrictions on vessels transiting the strategic waterway, initially in response to U.S.-Israeli strikes on its territory and later following a U.S. blockade on Iranian ports.
Multiple Vessels Targeted
A Liberia-flagged container ship sustained damage to its bridge after being hit by gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades northeast of Oman.
The UKMTO said the master of the vessel reported being approached by an IRGC gunboat. The vessel, it said, was subsequently fired upon. All crew members were safe and there was no fire or environmental impact due to the incident.
Maritime security sources said that three people were on board that gunboat.
The master of the Greek-operated container ship also reported that no radio contact was made prior to the incident and that the vessel had been initially informed that it had permission to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
The UKMTO later said that a second container vessel had been fired upon about eight nautical miles west of Iran. The Panama-flagged vessel was not damaged and its crew members are safe.
Broader Maritime Disruption
Maritime security sources said that a third container ship was fired upon about eight nautical miles west of Iran while transiting outbound from the Strait of Hormuz. The Liberia-flagged vessel, which was not damaged, had stopped in the water. Its crew are safe, the sources said.
Before the war began on February 28, the waterway typically handled roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supply.
(With inputs from Reuters)
