by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
(Worthy News) – Three commercial cargo vessels were struck by projectiles early Wednesday in or near the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the growing threat to global shipping lanes as the war between the United States, Israel and Iran intensifies.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said two vessels were hit while transiting the strait, while a third ship was struck roughly 50 miles off the coast of the United Arab Emirates.
One of the ships caught fire after the attack, forcing its crew to evacuate. Authorities later said the fire was extinguished and most crew members were safe.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps appeared to claim responsibility for one strike involving the Thailand-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree, which was damaged north of Oman in the strait. Omani naval forces rescued 20 crew members, though three sailors were reported missing.
Two additional ships were also damaged. The Japan-flagged container vessel One Majesty sustained minor damage near Ras Al Khaimah, while the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Star Gwyneth was struck northwest of Dubai. Crews on both vessels were reported safe.
The attacks came a day after U.S. forces destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels that Washington said were preparing to threaten shipping in the strait.
President Donald Trump warned Tehran that if mines were placed in the waterway and not removed immediately, the military consequences would be severe.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints, carrying about 20% of global energy supplies. Shipping traffic has dropped sharply since the conflict began on Feb. 28, sending shock waves through global energy markets.
Oil prices briefly surged above $115 per barrel earlier this week before easing to around $87.
Iran has vowed to continue targeting economic and shipping interests linked to the United States, Israel and their allies as the regional conflict widens.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest News from Worthy News
The trial of Egyptian Christian convert Said Mansour Rezk Abdelrazek opened last week in Cairo, drawing renewed international concern over religious freedom in Egypt. Abdelrazek, arrested in July 2025, faces multiple terrorism-related charges tied to his conversion from Islam and efforts to change the religious designation on his identity documents.
A major new study from the U.S. Geological Survey has revealed that the Appalachian region may hold a massive and largely untapped supply of lithium—offering a strategic opportunity for the United States to reclaim mineral independence in an increasingly competitive global market.
Federal authorities launched a sweeping crackdown Tuesday as the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed search warrants at nearly two dozen childcare centers across Minneapolis, targeting what officials describe as a growing web of fraud schemes in the Twin Cities.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday unveiled a newly configured congressional map that could significantly reshape the balance of power in the U.S. House, countering recent Democratic gains in Virginia and intensifying a growing nationwide redistricting fight.
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that House Republicans are preparing a new bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as a prolonged funding standoff with Democrats continues to impact key immigration enforcement agencies.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) destroyed what it described as the largest Hezbollah tunnel discovered in southern Lebanon on Tuesday evening, carrying out a controlled detonation shortly after issuing an unusual public warning to northern Israeli communities.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday welcomed King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the White House, emphasizing the enduring alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom as the monarch continued a four-day state visit.