The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a new flashpoint in the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran. At least six vessels, including a Thai cargo ship, have reportedly been attacked while transiting the strategic waterway.
The Royal Thai Navy said the Thailand-registered cargo ship Mayuree Naree was attacked on March 11 while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz after departing from Khalifa Port in the United Arab Emirates.
Images released by the Thai navy show thick black smoke rising from the vessel’s hull and upper structure, while lifeboats were seen floating on the water.
“Specific details and the cause of the attack are still under investigation,” the navy said in a statement.
According to initial reports, the Royal Navy of Oman rescued 20 crew members and is continuing efforts to rescue three others.
Thai-listed shipping company Precious Shipping said the remaining three crew members are believed to be trapped in the engine room.
“Three crew members have been reported missing and may be trapped in the engine room,” the company said, adding that it is working with relevant authorities to rescue them.
The company also confirmed that the other 20 crew members were safely evacuated and brought ashore in Oman.
It remains unclear whether the incident is among the commercial vessel attacks previously reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) in the Persian Gulf on March 11.
Data from ship-tracking services shows that the Mayuree Naree was located off the coast of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz and moving slowly at just over one knot per hour. The vessel is 178 meters long, has a deadweight of about 30,000 tons, and was en route to Kandla Port in India.
Two unidentified flying objects reportedly struck the vessel, sparking a fire and damaging the engine room.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on March 10 that Tehran had attacked two ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, including a Thai-flagged cargo vessel and another ship flying the Liberian flag named Express Rome.
The IRGC claimed the vessel “was fired upon by Iranian fighter jets.” If confirmed, it could mark the first direct engagement of this kind by Iranian forces in the conflict, which has previously involved mostly missile or drone strikes.
The Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most strategically important energy shipping routes — is rapidly becoming a focal point in the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
After the conflict erupted, Iran declared the strait closed and warned it would set fire to any vessel attempting to pass through Hormuz without Tehran’s permission.
The move, combined with Iranian attacks on Gulf countries in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, has disrupted global fuel supplies and sent oil prices soaring. Analysts say Tehran appears to be using the threat to energy shipping as economic pressure on Washington and Tel Aviv to halt their military campaign.
U.S. President Donald Trump previously said the United States could deploy naval forces to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the United States Navy has so far declined to do so, citing the still-high level of risk in the area.
