This morning, Iran reportedly attacked at least three container ships in the Strait of Hormuz, with the Royal Navy indicating “significant damage” to one vessel, which Tehran claims it seized to review its cargo and documents.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) opened fire on the container ships as they tried to navigate the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime route at the entrance of the Persian Gulf. This incident occurs against the backdrop of ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States, which have both imposed blockades impacting access to the vital waterway.
According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations Center (UKMTO), early Wednesday, a Greek-owned Liberian-flagged container ship named Epaminondas was approached by what was described as an “IRGC gunboat,” which opened fire unexpectedly.
The attack resulted in “significant damage to the bridge,” though no injuries were reported, apart from a fire on board and concerns for the environment. The statement confirmed that “all crew members are reported to be safe.” National media in London mentioned that the captain of the vessel thought he had the necessary permission to pass through the strait and had turned off the ship’s AIS transponder to avoid attention, yet was attacked anyway.
UKMTO also reported a second incident occurred three hours later involving another container ship, Euphoria, which was “fired upon” but no severe damage occurred, and “the crew are safe and sound.”
A third ship, the Panamanian-flagged Francesca, reportedly sustained damage to its hull and accommodations after being ordered to anchor by the Revolutionary Guards.
The Times of London noted that these assaults were carried out from small boats with infantry-grade weapons, emphasizing that some enhanced maritime security might help prevent such occurrences in the future.
While Western reports indicate that two of the attacked vessels were fired upon without prior warning, Iranian state media claimed the ships had shot at their forces while ignoring orders to halt.
Tehran’s media suggested that the strategies used against Epaminondas and Francesca were based on their identification as vessels belonging to “the Zionist regime.” They alleged that Epaminondas attempted unauthorized navigation through the strait, violating safety protocols.
After the vessel was seized, reports stated it was taken into Iranian waters “to examine its cargo and documents.”
This escalation follows a warning from Greece’s Maritime Emergency Management Agency advising shipowners to be cautious of scammers posing as Iranian officials offering “safe passage” for payment in cryptocurrencies. Notably, an Indian-owned oil tanker reportedly fell victim to such a scam, having paid the fee before being attacked by IRGC forces.
This story is developing and updates will follow.
