An Iranian missile strike has hit the Maltese-flagged container vessel Safeen Prestige while it was sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, forcing its crew to abandon the ship. The attack occurred roughly two nautical miles north of Oman, in one of the world’s most important shipping lanes.
According to shipping sources, the projectile struck above the waterline, igniting a fire in the engine room. British maritime risk management firm Vanguard reported that, at this stage, there has been no environmental impact. UK Maritime Trade Operations confirmed the incident but noted that the vessel is not British.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies. About one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments pass through the narrow waterway between Iran, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. The route connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, making it essential for oil exports to Europe, the United States, and Asia.
The attack comes amid rising regional tensions, as Iran has repeatedly warned it could close the strait. Shipping analysts say the incident has already prompted heightened caution among vessel operators. Some ships are reinforcing onboard security, while others are exploring longer but safer alternative routes.
In a separate development, Sri Lankan authorities reported the sinking of an Iranian naval frigate, identified as IRIS Dena, off the coast of Sri Lanka. Thirty-two people were rescued, though several casualties were reported. The frigate is equipped with heavy guns, surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and can carry a helicopter. The cause of the sinking remains unclear.
The United States military has said it destroyed 17 Iranian vessels in the ongoing conflict, with officials stating that its objective is to neutralize the entire Iranian navy. The recent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and near Sri Lanka underscore the fragility of maritime security in critical trade corridors and the wider implications for global energy markets.
