Vessels report being hit by gunfire as Iran says Strait of Hormuz shut again
Merchant vessels attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday received radio messages from Iran’s navy telling them they were not allowed to pass, while two ships reported being hit by gunfire, shipping sources said.
Several commercial vessels tried to transit the strait after receiving a notice to mariners a day earlier saying passage would be allowed but restricted to lanes Iran deemed safe.
On Saturday, at least two ships reported that Iranian boats fired shots, shipping and maritime security sources told Reuters. The incidents were reported in waters between the Qeshm and Larak islands. The vessels turned back without completing the crossing, the sources said.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said it had received a report of an incident 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman. The captain of a tanker said it had been approached by two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps gunboats that fired on the vessel. The tanker and its crew were safe.
A container ship was also hit by gunfire, a maritime security source said.
Some vessels reported that Iran’s navy had been broadcasting a VHF message saying the Strait of Hormuz was closed again.
“Attention all ships, regarding the failure of the U.S. government to fulfill its commitment in the negotiation, Iran declares the Strait of Hormuz completely closed again. No vessel of any type or nationality is allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz,” the radio message said.
Hundreds of ships and about 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Gulf, waiting to pass through the key waterway, which handles about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows.
Iran's navy fired on at least two merchant vessels attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, following a warning that the strait was closed. The incidents occurred between Qeshm and Larak islands, with the vessels turning back without completing their crossing. The Iranian forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, have restricted passage in the strait, impacting hundreds of ships and thousands of seafarers waiting to transit the key waterway.
- Iran's navy warned merchant vessels not to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Two ships reported being hit by gunfire from Iranian boats.
- Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed again via radio messages.
- Hundreds of ships and about 20,000 seafarers are stranded in the Gulf.
- The incidents occurred between Qeshm and Larak islands.