A cargo ship sank after striking a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran said on Wednesday, as Singapore reported attacks on two registered vessels transiting the strategic waterway amid the ongoing war.
Iran Reports Cargo Ship Sinking After Mine Strike
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps navy said the unidentified cargo ship hit a naval mine Wednesday morning while traveling along what Iranian officials described as an unauthorized and dangerous route, the Associated Press reported.
Iranian state television reported that the vessel was carrying 2,500 containers and broadcast images of the ship tilted in the water, emitting thick smoke.
Iranian officials provided few additional details, including information about the crew’s fate. The incident marks the first time Iran has reported a ship sinking after striking a naval mine during the war.
Singapore Reports Two Ships Attacked In Strait of Hormuz
Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority said two Singapore-registered cargo vessels were struck by “unknown projectiles” while passing through the strait on Tuesday and Wednesday.
One vessel sank, while the other reached safety. The authority said all crew members aboard the sunken ship were evacuated, and no injuries were reported in either incident.
The agency condemned the attacks as “unprovoked, unjustifiable, and a breach of international law.”
It remains unclear whether the Singapore-registered vessel that sank was the same ship Iran said struck a mine, the report noted.
Iran Warns Ships Against Unauthorized Transit
Iran has repeatedly warned vessels against crossing the Strait of Hormuz without its approval, as the U.S. military guides ships through a route closer to Oman’s coast.
The strait is a critical global shipping corridor connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, so disruptions could affect international trade and energy supplies.
Earlier this week, U.S. Central Command rejected the IRGC navy commander’s statement that Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz and would sink any approaching U.S. Navy warships.
The command said that American forces and regional partners maintain control of the strategic waterway. CENTCOM also said U.S. forces helped regional partners transport more than 19 million barrels of crude oil through the strait on Monday.
WTI crude oil fell 1.13% to $94.02 per barrel, while Brent crude declined 1.54% to $104.43 per barrel at the time of writing.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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