Iran Strikes Three Commercial Ships in Strait of Hormuz, 20 Crew Rescued

At least three commercial vessels were struck by projectiles in or near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, with the Thai-flagged dry bulk vessel Mayuree Naree among those hit and 20 crew members reported rescued while three remain missing.

“20 crew members rescued after 3 vessels attacked, including Thai cargo ship, near Strait of Hormuz MAYUREE NAREE hit near its stern while sailing in waters near Oman, reports local media - Another ship damaged, belongs to Japanese shipping company, reports media ISTANBUL Twenty crew members were reported to have been rescued while three are still on a Thai-flagged cargo ship after it was "fired upon" near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, according to local media, citing the Thai Navy”

Anadolu Agency

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported the strikes and advised caution for transiting vessels, and Thai authorities said rescued crew were brought ashore by the Omani navy in Khasab.

Anadolu Agency

Multiple outlets described the incident as part of a wider surge of attacks on ships in the area since the start of the Iran conflict.

Reports indicate the Mayuree Naree suffered impacts near its stern and an explosion and fire in the engineering section that forced crew to abandon ship; operators and monitoring agencies said some crew evacuated and the blaze was later extinguished while damage assessment continued.

At least one operator described the vessel as struck by “two projectiles of unknown origin,” and authorities have said the precise nature and source of the projectiles remain unclear.

Associated Press News

The strikes are being reported amid a larger uptick of maritime incidents in the Gulf; different outlets provide differing counts for how many vessels have been hit since the wider Iran conflict began.

“Then found out that a girl I went to school with has been killed and her body still hasn’t been found", says a woman in her 20s”

BBC

One Israeli outlet counted at least 14 ships struck since the campaign started, while regional reporting listed 13 vessels targeted and another outlet noted 17 incidents in the area, highlighting inconsistent tallies in fast-moving reporting.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps officials framed the strikes as enforcement of a maritime restriction, with the IRGC navy commander saying vessels must obtain Iran’s permission before transiting the Strait and asserting crews who ignored warnings were “caught.”

At the same time, U.S. Central Command and U.S. officials reported strikes against Iranian mine‑laying vessels in the same waters, reflecting competing narratives and military activity in the corridor.

BBC

The strikes and related military actions have had immediate economic and security consequences: market reaction pushed Brent crude and U.S. oil benchmarks higher, shipping advisories urged increased caution, and airlines and companies have adjusted routes and surcharges as the region’s instability grows.

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Boston Herald

Governments and militaries are also repositioning forces and assisting evacuations and search-and-rescue efforts as the situation develops.

Boston Herald