LONDON: The UK’s Maritime Organisation is reporting an incident 25 Nautical Miles northwest of Ra’s al Khaymah, UAE.
According to the UKMTO, the Master of a container vessel has reported that the vessel has sustained damage from a suspected but unknown projectile. Extent of the damage is currently unknown but under investigation by the crew. The Master additionally reported that all crew members are safe and accounted for. The UKMTO said, vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO while authorities continue to investigate the incident.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) issued a sharply worded statement against Iran, calling on the country to refrain from placing mines in the Strait of Hormuz and warning of military consequences if they are not removed.
He made the remarks in a post on Truth Social.
The US President said, “If Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait, and we have no reports of them doing so, we want them removed, IMMEDIATELY! If for any reason mines were placed, and they are not removed forthwith, the Military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before. If, on the other hand, they remove what may have been placed, it will be a giant step in the right direction! Additionally, we are using the same Technology and Missile capabilities deployed against Drug Traffickers to permanently eliminate any boat or ship attempting to mine the Hormuz Strait. They will be dealt with quickly and violently. BEWARE! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
In another post on Truth Social, Trump said that 10 inactive mine-laying boats/ships had been hit and destroyed.
He said on Truth Social, “I am pleased to report that within the last few hours, we have hit, and completely destroyed, 10 inactive mine-laying boats and/or ships, with more to follow! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
The US Central Command also posted on X the video of reducing Iran’s power at sea. It said, “U.S. forces are degrading the Iranian regime’s ability to project power at sea and harass international shipping. For years, Iranian forces have threatened freedom of navigation in waters essential to American, regional and global security and prosperity.”
“U.S. forces are degrading the Iranian regime’s ability to project power at sea and harass international shipping. For years, Iranian forces have threatened freedom of navigation in waters essential to American, regional and global security and prosperity,” US CENTCOM said.
Iran has begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important energy transition point that carries about one-fifth of all crude oil. The report further said that Iran still retains upward of 80% to 90% of its small boats and mine layers, one and could feasibly lay hundreds of mines in the waterway.