A British maritime agency reported on Wednesday that multiple vessels in the Gulf region were ablaze following Iran’s claims of attacking 20 ships attempting to navigate the Strait of Hormuz. This escalation in hostilities occurs amidst a prolonged six-month conflict, with Iran maintaining control over this strategically vital waterway, while the United States intensifies its efforts to enforce a counterblockade on Iranian ports.
According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), several merchant ships in the Northern Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman were subjected to disabling fire amid ongoing military operations in the area. The agency also noted an incident involving a vessel located 24 nautical miles northwest of Port Rashid in the UAE, which was reported to be listing, likely due to an attack.
The UKMTO described the situation, stating that the master of a tanker observed a vessel tilting while anchored, suggesting potential water ingress from an unidentified projectile. On the same day, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for assaults on two U.S. vessels, eight oil tankers, and ten “non-compliant vessels” in the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by state media. These attacks followed U.S. strikes on Iranian ships, with Tehran threatening further actions against oil tankers near Kuwait and Bahrain.
