Attacks on Ships in the Strait of Hormuz – Macron Pleads
Several ships have been subjected to suspected attacks in connection with the Strait of Hormuz, according to the British maritime security organisation UKMTO. French President Emmanuel Macron is calling on the G7 countries to restore traffic in the important strait ‘as soon as possible’.
Several merchant ships were attacked on Wednesday in the Strait of Hormuz, which separates the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
The French president said in connection with a video meeting with the leaders of the other G7 countries that it is important to coordinate efforts to ‘ensure that freedom of navigation is clearly restored in all states as soon as possible.’
The statement comes after several suspected attacks on ships in the important Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, in connection with the ongoing war between Israel, the United States and Iran.
Black smoke
One of the ships was hit as it passed through the waters off Oman’s territory near the strait. The crew was forced to evacuate after an ‘unidentified projectile’ caused a fire on board.
In separate incidents, a container ship and a merchant ship were also hit.
According to the Bangkok Post, the Thai navy reports that the ship Mayuree Naree was attacked by missiles while navigating through the strait, en route from the United Arab Emirates to India. Pictures show black smoke billowing from the Thai-flagged ship. Three crew members are missing after the attack.
Iran has sought to block this important trade route in response to the US and Israel’s military action, threatening to attack ships attempting to pass through. A large proportion of global oil exports pass through the narrow strait.
US: Mine-laying vessels destroyed
On Tuesday, the US said it had destroyed at least 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, following reports that Iran was laying mines along the shipping lane.
On Monday, Macron stated that France, together with its allies, is preparing a ‘defensive’ mission to open the crucial Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic.
According to the president, this will be a support mission in which ships will be escorted so that the strait can be gradually opened ‘once the most intense phase of the conflict has subsided’.
Cover image: The ship Mayuree Naree, which was attacked by drones in the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Thai military/AP/TT
Strait between Iran and Oman, which is 33 kilometres wide at its narrowest point.
Iran and Oman have territorial waters in the strait, which is covered by the right of transit passage under the Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Important for crude oil shipments from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Iran, as it connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
Most of the oil shipments go to countries in Asia.
Source: NE, AP
