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A Maltese-flagged container ship, Safeen Prestige, was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, forcing its crew to abandon the vessel.
Shipping sources said the incident occurred about two nautical miles north of Oman, along the critical global shipping lane. British maritime risk management firm Vanguard reported that the ship was hit above the waterline, causing a fire in the engine room.
“The vessel was struck by an unknown projectile just above the waterline, resulting in a fire in the engine room. No environmental impact has been reported at this time,” Vanguard said.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations confirmed the incident, noting that the vessel is not British-flagged.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, with roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments passing through the narrow waterway between Iran on one side and the United Arab Emirates and Oman on the other. It links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, making it a vital corridor for oil exports to Europe, the United States, and Asia.
The attack has heightened concerns about potential disruptions to global energy supplies after Iran warned it could close the strait amid escalating regional tensions. Most oil tankers leaving Persian Gulf ports must pass through the roughly 60-mile-wide channel, which has been at the center of geopolitical disputes for decades.
Shipping analysts say the incident has already prompted caution among shipowners, with some increasing onboard security measures and others considering longer alternate routes.
In a related development, Sri Lankan authorities reported that an Iranian naval frigate, IRIS Dena, sank off the coast of Sri Lanka. Officials said 32 people were rescued, though several casualties were reported. The cause of the sinking remains unclear. The warship is equipped with heavy guns, surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and can carry a helicopter.
Earlier, the United States military said it had destroyed 17 Iranian vessels in the ongoing conflict, stating that its objective is to neutralize “the entire navy.”
