At least three container ships came under fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, news agency Reuters reported, citing maritime security sources and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations.
The incidents come after Iran imposed restrictions on vessels using the strategic waterway, first in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes on the country and later in response to what Tehran described as a US blockade of Iranian ports.
A Liberia-flagged container ship sustained bridge damage after being hit by gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades northeast of Oman.
ALSO READ: Iran Attacks Ship In Strait Of Hormuz; Trump Extends Ceasefire
The UKMTO said the vessel's master reported being approached by a gunboat linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps before it came under fire.
“All crew members were safe and there was no fire or environmental impact due to the incident,” the UKMTO said.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Maritime security sources told Reuters that three people were onboard the gunboat. The Greek-operated vessel reportedly received prior information that it had permission to transit through the strait, but no radio contact was made before the attack.
The UKMTO later reported that a second container ship, flying the Panama flag, was fired upon around eight nautical miles west of Iran. The vessel was not damaged and its crew was safe.
ALSO READ: Trump Extends Iran Ceasefire As Uncertainty Looms Over Islamabad Talks
A third Liberia-flagged ship was also targeted in a separate incident about eight nautical miles west of Iran while leaving the Strait of Hormuz. The ship was not damaged, though it temporarily stopped in the water. Its crew was reported safe.
Before the war began on February 28, the Strait of Hormuz carried nearly one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supply.
Earlier on Wednesday, Donald Trump said he was extending the two-week ceasefire with Iran, citing divisions within Tehran's leadership.
He said the truce, originally due to expire today, would remain in place until Iran presents a unified proposal to end hostilities with the U.S. and Israel.
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