DUBAI – Maritime security officials said Wednesday that three more commercial vessels were struck by projectiles of unknown origin in and around the Strait of Hormuz. That brings the number of reported ship attacks in the area since the start of the Iran conflictto at least 14.
One strike, on a Thai-flagged bulk carrier, sparked a fire and left three crew members missing. As a result, concerns are rising about safe passage through one of the world’s most important oil routes.
These latest incidents come during the second week of fighting involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. At the same time, merchant vessels appear to be getting pulled into the violence more often. The Strait of Hormuzcarries about one-fifth of the world’s daily oil shipments, so any disruption can ripple into energy prices and global trade.
Thai Bulk Carrier Mayuree Naree Suffers Major Damage
The most serious case involved the Thailand-flagged dry bulk ship Mayuree Naree , operated by Bangkok-listed Precious Shipping PCL. While moving through the Strait, the vessel took hits from two unknown projectilesabout 11 nautical miles north of Oman.
Precious Shipping said the impacts triggered a fire and caused heavy damage in the engine room.
- Three crew membersremain missing, and officials believe they may be trapped in the engine room.
- The other 20 crew membersevacuated safely and are now onshore in Oman, with help from Omani authorities, including the Omani navy.
- The company said it’s working with officials, including the Royal Thai Navy and rescue teams, to find and recover the missing sailors.
Photos released by the Royal Thai Navy showed thick black smoke pouring from the ship, underscoring how intense the fire became before crews brought it under control.
Before the attack, the Mayuree Naree had left Khalifa Port in the UAE and was headed to Kandla Port in India.
Two More Ships Report Projectile Strikes in the Strait of Hormuz
Meanwhile, maritime watch groups, including the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), logged two other incidents in the wider Gulf region.
- A Japanese-flaggedcontainer ship, identified in some reports as the ONE Majesty , reported minor damage after a suspected projectile strike about 25 nautical miles off Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates. The ship kept moving toward a safe anchorage.
- A third bulk carrier reported a hit from an unknown projectile around 50 nautical miles northwest of Dubai. Early reports did not mention injuries or major structural damage.
These reports followed U.S. actions against Iranian mine-laying vessels near the strait. At the same time, warnings have circulated that Tehran had started placing naval mines that could be used to block the waterway.
Where the Iran Conflict Stands Now
Ship attacks have increased sharply since fighting intensified in late February 2026, after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. Analysts and maritime risk firms say at least 14 vessel strikes have been confirmed so far. Some counts go higher when reports from nearby Gulf waters are included.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corpshas taken responsibility for some incidents, including the strike on the Mayuree Naree . Iranian officials said certain vessels ignored warnings to stay out of the area. Tehran has also repeated threats to close the strait if foreign military pressure continues, which could send oil prices higher and strain supply chains.
In response, U.S. military officials released video of operations aimed at Iranian naval assets, including 16 minelayers, in an effort to keep the route open. Shipping groups have also issued alerts urging extreme caution. Because of that, some operators have rerouted ships or paused transits through the strait.
What This Means for Oil Markets and Shipping
The Strait of Hormuzremains a central corridor for crude oil, liquefied natural gas, and other cargo. Disruptions there have already added to swings in energy markets, with crude reaching levels not seen in years.
Experts warn that if the attacks continue, insurers may raise premiums sharply or label the area a war zone. That could price some operators out of the route. Neutral-flagged ships, including vessels tied to Thailand and Japan, have now been caught up in the danger, raising fresh concerns about the safety of third-party shipping in contested waters.
Governments and groups such as the International Maritime Organization continue to watch the situation closely. Search and rescue efforts for the missing Mayuree Naree crew members are still underway, and families are waiting for updates.
With no clear sign of the conflict easing, the newest Strait of Hormuz attackshighlight how quickly regional fighting can turn into direct threats against civilian trade at sea.
