Three merchant ships have been struck in and around the Strait of Hormuz, including a Thai-registered bulk carrier that caught fire after leaving a port in the UAE, forcing crew members to evacuate. The Mayuree Naree was hit by two projectiles of unknown origin on Wednesday while sailing 11 nautical miles north of Oman, ending a four-day lull in attacks on the strategic waterway. A fire broke out in the engine room, and 20 crew members were rescued by the Omani navy, leaving a skeleton crew of three awaiting rescue.
The two other vessels struck were only lightly damaged. The ONE Majesty, a Japanese container ship, was hit by an unknown projectile 28 miles north-west of Ras Al Khaimah, sustaining minor damage above the waterline. The Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Star Gwyneth was struck about 30 miles north-west of Dubai, damaging its hull in the hold area while at anchor. No serious crew injuries were reported in either incident.
The US military said it had destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the strait as part of a broader strategy to neutralise Iran's ability to threaten international shipping. Admiral Bradley Cooper, commander of US Central Command, said the US had struck 5,500 targets in Iran and more than 60 ships. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps earlier stated it would not allow even one litre of oil to leave the region if US-Israeli attacks continued.
Oil prices briefly shot up to nearly $120 a barrel on Monday but have since settled at about $90 amid hopes the war will end shortly. Ebrahim Zolfaqari, a spokesperson for Iran's military command, warned: 'Get ready for oil to be $200 a barrel, because the oil price depends on regional security, which you have destabilised.' The Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world's oil and gas passes, has been effectively closed since the beginning of the month after US and Israeli attacks on Iran prompted retaliation.
Discussions about US navy convoying oil tankers through the strait have begun, but no patrol mission has emerged. France has expressed interest in participating in a convoy once the worst fighting subsides, while the UK believes air protection is more relevant. US President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that if Iran had laid mines, they must be removed immediately, and later told reporters he expected 'great safety' in the strait soon.
