UK says cargo ship set ablaze, 2 container vessel struck by projectile in Strait of Hormuz

The UK maritime security agency on Wednesday (Mar 11) said that a cargo ship, presumably of UK origin, was hit by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. Following the strike, a fire broke out on the vessel, forcing the crew to evacuate. Hours later, a container vessel was hit off the coast of the UAE. Earlier today, another container ship was also hit off the coast of the United Arab Emirates by an unidentified projectile. This comes as the war widens in the Gulf, with Iran targeting vessels in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

“It has been reported that a cargo vessel has been hit by an unknown projectile in the Straits of Hormuz, which has resulted in a fire onboard,” the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said in a statement.

The British maritime security agency also said a container vessel was damaged after being hit by an unknown projectile.

"The Master of a container vessel has reported that the vessel has sustained damage from a suspected but unknown projectile, the UKMTO said. It added that the extent of the damage was not yet known, but all the crew members were safe.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have said that they have “complete control” of the Strait of Hormuz. At least 10 oil tankers have been struck, targeted ot reported attacks in or near the strait between March 1 and March 10, according to data from the UK Maritime Trade Organisation, the International Maritime Organization, and Iranian authorities.

Amid the escalating tension in West Asia, several vessels have been targeted while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has shut down the Strait of Hormuz and warned that any vessel attempting to pass could be targeted and set on fire, with several oil tankers being hit in recent days. However, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on March 5 said that the passage is closed to vessels from the United States, Israel, Europe and their Western allies. On March 10, IRGC said that it will grant certain countries unrestricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz, but that this safe passage will be conditional. The IRGC said that only those Arab or European nations that expel Israeli and American ambassadors from their territory will be granted the right to transit through the strategic waterway, which accounts for roughly 20 per cent of the global oil supply passing through it daily.

The Strait of Hormuz is the only maritime outlet for ports located in the Persian Gulf. Its blockage has significantly affected global energy supply, triggering a sharp rise in oil prices.

On February 28, the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Azerbaijan.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.