Iranian Military Seizes Honduras-Flagged Hui Chuan Near Strait of Hormuz, U.K. Says

Iran’s deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs Kazem Gharibabadi, speaking at the second session of the Meeting of BRICS Foreign Ministers in New Delhi, accused the UAE of “supporting and facilitating the military aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” and said “a party that itself contributed to the creation and escalation of tensions lacks any legitimacy to level political accusations and claims against Iran.”

“Tensions flare near Strait of Hormuz as a ship is seized and another is sunk Tensions flare near Strait of Hormuz as a ship is seized and another is sunk DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A ship anchored off the United Arab Emirates was seized and taken toward Iran and another — a cargo ship near Oman — sank after being attacked, authorities said Thursday, as tensions escalated near the Strait of Hormuz”

AP News

In the Strait of Hormuz crisis, a ship anchored off the United Arab Emirates was seized and taken toward Iran, while another vessel near Oman sank after being attacked, according to AP, with the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations center saying the seized ship was taken by “unauthorized personnel.”

AP News

The BBC reported that a vessel operating as a “floating armoury” in the Gulf of Oman was seized by Iranian military personnel and is now “bound for Iranian territorial waters,” with the ship identified by Vanguard as the Honduras-flagged Hui Chuan.

The White House readout cited by CBS News said President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed the strait “must remain open,” while Iran “can never have a nuclear weapon,” as tensions around the key waterway continued.

In Washington, the House voted for a third time against acting as a check on President Trump’s military powers in Iran, and CBS News reported the Democratic resolution to rein in Mr. Trump’s authority was 212-212, falling just short of a majority.

During the same period, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told NBC News that the U.S. was not asking China for help with Iran, saying “We’re not asking for China’s help. We don’t need their help.”

BBC

Rubio also said the Chinese side opposed militarizing the Straits of Hormuz and opposed a tolling system, and NBC News quoted him saying “The Chinese side said they are not in favor of militarizing the Straits of Hormuz.”

On Iran’s side, the Times of India quoted Kazem Gharibabadi arguing that when countries facilitate and provide services to aggressors, “this is not merely assistance; such conduct itself constitutes aggression,” and he added, “Therefore, the UAE is an aggressor, not merely an accomplice to aggression.”

U.S. Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the bombing campaign against Iran, named Operation Epic Fury, achieved all of its objectives to “significantly degrade” the country’s military capabilities, while acknowledging Iran still maintains some ability to threaten ships.

“What to know about the Iran war today: - A ship was taken by unknown parties off the coast of the United Arab Emirates near the Strait of Hormuz and was headed toward Iranian waters, a U”

CBS News

Cooper said U.S. forces destroyed more than 90% of Iran’s inventory of 8,000 naval mines to prevent their deployment in the strait, and he warned that “their voice is very loud, and those threats are clearly heard by the merchant industry and the insurance industry,” according to CBS News.

The BBC described how the seizure of the Honduras-flagged Hui Chuan came after an Indian-flagged vessel was attacked off the coast of Oman, with Indian authorities saying “All Indian crew on board are safe and we thank the Omani authorities for rescuing them,” while India’s Ministry of External Affairs called the attack “unacceptable.”

In parallel, CNBC reported U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC that China would work behind the scenes to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying “It’s very much in their interest to get the strait reopened,” as the U.S. continued to impose pressure on Iranian ports.