IRGC Fires On Two Foreign Ships In Strait Of Hormuz, Says Vessels Allegedly Ignored Warnings

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it attacked two foreign vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on March 11, stating the ships had ignored warnings from Iranian forces; MEAWW named the Thai-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree and the Liberian-flagged Express Rome as the vessels struck.

“Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says it will not allow “a litre of oil” through the Strait of Hormuz as the closure of the key Gulf waterway continues to roil global energy markets during the US-Israeli war on Iran”

Al Jazeera

International maritime monitors and news organizations reported multiple separate strikes in the same area on the same day, with Al Jazeera noting “three ships were hit by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz” and NBC reporting that “Three ships have been hit in separate incidents near the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which 20% of the world’s oil passes.”

Al Jazeera

NBC also said that “the crew of a cargo vessel evacuated after a fire broke out on board when it was hit by an unknown projectile north of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz.”

Tehran framed the strikes as enforcement of warnings and as part of a broader campaign to deny benefits to the United States and Israel, with MEAWW quoting a Khatam al-Anbiya command spokesperson who warned Iran would not allow oil shipments serving the US or Israel to transit the Strait.

NBC cited Iranian military advisories urging civilians to keep distance from U.S. and Israeli banks and economic centers,

MEAWW News

while Al Jazeera reported differing foreign responses and public statements—such as US President Donald Trump urging vessels to keep transiting the waterway—illustrating competing messages to mariners and shippers in the region.

The incidents form part of a wider spike in attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf and nearby seas since the outbreak of wider hostilities, with UKMTO reporting at least 13 attacks across the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman and maritime data confirming the ships’ presence in the strait that day.

“Live updates: Ships attacked near key shipping lane as Iran launches its 'most intense' strikes of the war Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency said member countries have unanimously agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from their reserves in a bid to ease prices”

NBC News

Analysts warn the situation is already choking maritime traffic: Al Jazeera quoted maritime expert Christian Bueger saying “For the shipping industry right now, it’s impossible to go through the Strait of Hormuz,”

while MEAWW and NBC cited UKMTO tallies and on-the-water tracking that show the pattern of repeated strikes.

The strikes and mounting risk to the strait have prompted emergency economic measures and warnings from international agencies: Al Jazeera reported that the IEA’s 32 member countries agreed to release 400 million barrels from strategic reserves and quoted IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol saying “This is a major action aiming to alleviate the immediate impacts of the disruption in markets.”

The strategic importance of the waterway—through which, NBC noted, around 20% of the world’s oil passes—underpins members’ decisions,

Al Jazeera

and Tehran’s threat to block shipments that benefit the US or Israel adds to the immediate supply risk, according to MEAWW.

Humanitarian and security actors warned that the strikes are already impeding aid and increasing regional peril: Al Jazeera quoted UN aid chief Tom Fletcher urging “exemptions” so humanitarian supplies can transit the strait and warning that such supplies were not reaching “areas of key need in sub-Saharan Africa,” adding “We’re living through a moment right now of grave peril.”

“Iran says it attacked 2 foreign ships in the Strait of Hormuz as Gulf conflict escalates TEHRAN, IRAN: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it attacked two ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, March 11, after the vessels allegedly ignored warnings from Iranian forces”

MEAWW News

NBC reported international offers of assistance such as Ukrainian drone experts traveling to the Gulf to help protect lives,

MEAWW News

while MEAWW and UKMTO tallies underline the operational hurdles facing aid and commercial traffic amid the spike in maritime attacks.