A Liberia-flagged container ship was damaged on its bridge after being struck by gunfire in the Strait of Hormuz, according to maritime security sources and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). This incident is part of a troubling trend, as at least three container vessels were reportedly targeted in the region on Wednesday. The attacks come amid heightened tensions, with Iran implementing restrictions on maritime traffic in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli military actions and a blockade affecting Iranian ports.
The UKMTO noted that the ship’s captain reported an encounter with an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) gunboat prior to the attack. Fortunately, all crew members on the Liberia-flagged vessel were unharmed, and there were no fires or environmental damage resulting from the incident. Meanwhile, a Greek-operated container ship in the vicinity also reported a lack of communication before the incident, despite having received prior clearance to navigate the Strait.
In addition to the Liberia-flagged ship, another container vessel was fired upon approximately eight nautical miles west of Iran, though it sustained no damage and its crew remained safe. Maritime security sources confirmed that a third ship faced similar gunfire while exiting the strait, but it too was not damaged and its crew was secure. Prior to the conflict that began on February 28, the Strait of Hormuz was a critical route for global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
