A Gujarat-bound cargo ship was among three ships reportedly attacked by the Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the Strait of Hormuz, according to UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). This comes despite Washington extending the ceasefire with Tehran.
IRGC opened fire at the cargo vessels after they allegedly "ignored the warnings of the Iranian armed forces," according to Nour News.
The Gujarat-bound ship Epaminodas bearing Liberian flag is owned by a Greek company and was coming from Jebel Ali, Dubai.
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The other two vessels were identified as Euphoria and MSC Francesca, both bearing Panama flags. Euphoria is owned by a UAE-based firm and was bound for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
MSC Francesca was listed as "at anchor" in the Gulf of Oman after the IRGC attack, according to MarineTraffic. It reportedly suffered "damage to the hull and accommodation" after it was targeted about six nautical miles off the coast of Iran.
IRGC Navy claimed that the ships "jeopardised maritime security" and allegedly tampered with navigation systems.
After the attacks, US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran was "collapsing financially" over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. "They want the Strait of Hormuz opened immediately- Starving for cash! Losing 500 Million Dollars a day. Military and Police complaining that they are not getting paid. SOS!!!" he posted on Truth Social.
However, Iranian Agriculture Minister Gholamreza Nouri claimed on Tuesday that the US blockade on Iranian ports did not have much impact on Iran. "Despite the US naval blockade, we have no problem in supplying basic goods and food because, due to the size of the country, it is possible to import from different borders. About 85 percent of agricultural products and basic goods are produced domestically, so the country’s food security is established," he said, according to IRNA news agency.
