At least three container shipments were received on Wednesday, maritime security sources and the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.
It follows restrictions it has imposed on ships passing through the straits, first in retaliation for bombing by the US and Israel and then in response to the blockade of Iranian ports by US forces.
MSC Francesca and Epaminondas both stopped, with another Greek-owned ship, Euphoria, possibly targeted and now stopped off Iran as well.
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical)
Attack on a ship of Greek interests
A Liberian-flagged container ship under Greek management suffered damage to its bridge following gunfire and rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) firing northeast of Oman.
According to UKMTO, the master reported that an IRGC gunboat approached the vessel and then opened fire. All crew members are safe, and no fire or environmental impact was reported from the incident.
“There was no radio contact before the incident,” said the captain of the Greek-owned ship, adding that he had initially been informed that he had permission to pass through the Straits.
Successive strikes on ships flying the flags of Panama and Liberia
A short time later, UKMTO reported a second attack against a Panamanian-flagged vessel, approximately eight nautical miles west of Iran. The vessel was not damaged and the crew is safe.
Almost at the same time, security sources confirmed a third incident in the same area, targeting a Liberian-flagged ship sailing towards the exit of the Straits. The ship was temporarily immobilized in the water, but no damage or injuries were reported.
Shipping information company Vanguard told BBC Verify that the ship was hit about 6 nautical miles off the coast of Iran. Vanguard reported that the ship received a call from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and was ordered to drop anchor.
The ship reports damage to the hull and crew accommodation.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) announced that they seized two ships in the Strait of Hormuz and took them to the Iranian coast, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
The IRGC navy said disrupting order and security in the Strait of Hormuz is a “red line” for Iran.
Global energy supply at risk
This new flare-up causes intense concern in the international community, as the Straits of Hormuz are the most important energy artery of the planet.
Before the start of the war on February 28, about a fifth of the world’s supply of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) was transported daily through this passage. Any prolonged instability in the region is expected to trigger further shocks in international energy prices.
