Gujarat-bound ship among two vessels attacked, seized by Iran at Strait of Hormuz

Two commercial vessels, among which one Gujarat-bound ship, were attacked and seized at the Strait of Hormuz by Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Wednesday. No crew members were injured, and no fire or environmental damage was reported.

However, one of the vessels involved is linked to India and was reportedly en route to Gujarat’s Mundra Port.

Furthermore, Iranian state media reported that Panama- and Liberia-flagged vessels were being seized and escorted towards Iran.

As per reports, the India-bound ship, ‘Epaminondas’, was travelling from Dubai to Gujarat at the time of the incident.

Maritime security sources said a gunboat belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) approached one of the vessels before attacking. 

Separately, a Liberian-flagged container ship reportedly sustained damage to its bridge after being struck by gunfire and a rocket-propelled grenade off the coast of Oman. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the ship’s captain reported the approach of an IRGC gunboat shortly before the attack.

Despite the assault, all crew members aboard the affected vessels were reported safe. Maritime sources added that the gunboat involved carried three personnel.

The captain of a Greek-operated container ship also stated that there had been no prior radio communication before the incident and that the vessel had initially been informed it could pass through the Strait without obstruction.