IRGC navy chief: Ships must obtain our approval to enter Strait of Hormuz
Iran strikes three more commercial ships in Strait of Hormuz that navy chief claims 'ignored our warnings but were caught'
Three commercial vessels were struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, maritime security and risk firms said, raising the number of ships hit in the region since the Iran conflict began to at least 14. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard navy warned that vessels must obtain permission before passing through the strategic waterway.
“Any vessel planning to pass through must obtain permission from Iran,” IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri said. “Just ask the crews of the ships, who ignored our warnings and passed through the strait but were caught,” he added.
The Thai-flagged dry bulk vessel Mayuree Naree was struck by “two projectiles of unknown origin” while sailing through the strait, according to a statement from operator Precious Shipping. The attack caused a fire and damaged the ship’s engine room. Three crew members are reported missing and believed to be trapped in the engine room, while the remaining 20 crew members were evacuated safely and brought ashore in Oman.
A second vessel, the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Star Gwyneth, was hit by an unknown projectile about 50 miles northwest of Dubai, according to maritime security firms. No crew members were reported injured in the incident.
Earlier the same day, the Japan-flagged container ship One Majesty sustained minor damage after being struck by an unknown projectile roughly 25 nautical miles northwest of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates. Maritime security firms said all crew members aboard the vessel were safe.
Maritime security companies say the number of vessels struck since the US-Israeli war with Iran began has now reached at least 14, amid raising concerns about the impact of the war on the safety of international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy transit route.