Iran attacks three cargo ships and the US destroys 16 ships laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz

The United Kingdom maritime authorities have reported this Wednesday three new attacks on cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz, one of which has had to evacuate its crew and another has suffered a fire.

No official source has attributed this attack to any country. at a time when the war is escalating in a corridor through which a fifth of the world’s oil passes and is key to European energy security and the global economy.

One of the projectiles has caused damage to a container ship about 25 nautical miles from the Emirati city of Ras al Khaimah, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center (UKMTO).

At this time “the extent of the damage is unknown” and all crew members “are safe”, UKMTO, which has recommended “ships navigate with caution and report any suspicious activity while the authorities
“They continue to investigate the incident.”

Shortly after, it was reported that another projectile, also of unknown origin, hit a second
cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, about 11 nautical miles north of Oman.

“The ship has requested help and “the crew is evacuating”reported the UKMTO, which has confirmed the existence of a “fire on board”, which has already been extinguished.

This morning a third merchant ship was hit by unknown projectiles while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz. It has also suffered damage, although the crew is safe.

16 minelayer ships

Also in this area, the United States has reported that it has destroyed “multiple Iranian warships,” including 16 minelayer shipswithin the framework of the attacks against Iran, which they accuse of having threatened “freedom of navigation.”

The United States Central Command assures that the objective of these attacks is “to degrade the Iranian regime’s ability to project power at sea and harass international shipping.”

Miners have taken center stage in the narrative related to hostilities in the Middle East after US intelligence reports confirmed to several media outlets, including CNN, that Iran has begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz.