BREAKING: Small Boats Attack Bulk Carrier Off Iran’s Coast
This is a developing story.
A northbound bulk carrier came under attack by multiple small craft approximately 11 nautical miles west of Sirik, Iran, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
The vessel’s master reported the incident, but confirmed that all crew members are safe and accounted for. There was no reported environmental damage.
UKMTO has urged vessels transiting the area to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activity immediately.
The attack occurred in waters near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments that has seen heightened tensions amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran standoff and naval blockade.
Attacks by small, fast craft (often called skiffs) are a known tactic in the region, frequently linked to Iranian-backed forces or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the incident, and investigations are ongoing.
This is the latest in a series of maritime security incidents in the Gulf as the fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran continues to hold under pressure.