\u200bTrump has threatened to ramp up US attacks on Iran if it continues to obstruct the strait
\n tehran
\nThree vessels have been hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, maritime \u200bsecurity and risk firms said on Wednesday, bringing the number of ships struck in the region since \u200cthe Iran conflict began to at least 14.
\nShipping along the narrow strait has come to a near standstill since the United States and Israel began strikes on Iran on February 28, preventing exports of around a fifth of the world\u2019s oil supply and sending global oil prices surging to highs not seen \u200bsince 2022.
\nIran\u2019s Revolutionary Guards have warned that any ship passing through the Strait will be targeted. US President Donald \u200bTrump has threatened to ramp up US attacks on Iran if it continues to obstruct the strait.
\nThe Thai-flagged Mayuree Naree dry bulk vessel had been struck by \u201ctwo projectiles of unknown origin\u201d while sailing through the Strait on \u200bWednesday, causing a fire and damaging the engine room, the ship\u2019s Thai-listed operator Precious Shipping said in a statement.
\n\u201cThree crew members \u200bare reported missing and believed to be trapped in the engine room,\u201d Precious Shipping said.
\n\u201cThe company is working with the relevant authorities to rescue these three missing crew members,\u201d it said, adding that the remaining 20 crew members had been safely evacuated and were ashore in Oman.
\nThe US Navy has refused near-daily requests from the \u200bshipping industry for military escorts through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war on Iran, saying the risk of attacks is \u200ctoo high for now, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Trump has said the US is prepared to provide naval escorts whenever needed.
\nTwo other ships sustain minor damage
\nEarlier on Wednesday, the Japan-flagged container ship ONE Majesty sustained minor damage from an unknown projectile 25 nautical miles (46 km) northwest of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, two maritime security firms said.
\nIts Japanese owner Mitsui OSK Lines \u200band a spokesperson for Ocean Network \u200bExpress (ONE), its charterer, said that the vessel was struck while at anchor in the Gulf and inspection of the hull had revealed minor damage above the waterline.
\nAll crew are safe, they said, adding that the vessel remains \u200bfully operational and seaworthy. The owner said the cause of the incident remained unclear and \u200bwas under investigation.
\nA third vessel, a bulk carrier, was also hit by an unknown projectile approximately 50 miles northwest of Dubai, maritime security firms said.
\nThe projectile had damaged the hull of the Marshall Islands-flagged Star Gwyneth, maritime risk management company Vanguard said, adding that the vessel\u2019s crew were safe. Owner \u200bStar Bulk Carriers said the ship was hit in the hold area whilst \u200banchored. There were no crew injuries and no listing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u200bTrump has threatened to ramp up US attacks on Iran if it continues to obstruct the strait tehran Three vessels have been hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, maritime \u200bsecurity and risk firms said on Wednesday, bringing the number of ships struck in the region since \u200cthe Iran conflict began to at […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":536144,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-536127","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n