A cruise ship has come under fire as Iran targets ships passing through the closed Strait of Hormuz. The cruise, three nautical miles east of Oman, reported seeing “splashes in close proximity”, UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said. It said: “UKMTO has received a report of an incident 3nm east of Oman.
“The master of a cruise ship reported seeing spatter near the ship. Ships are advised to report suspicious activity to the UKMTO.” At least two Indian merchant ships also came under fire on Saturday, three shipping and security sources told Reuters.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that two ships carrying crude oil were attacked while attempting to transit the strait.
A statement from the Supreme National Security Council, shared by Fars news agency, said Iran would monitor and control traffic through the shipping route “until the war definitively ends” and lasting peace is achieved.
The council said ships would have to pay “costs related to safety, security and environmental protection services”.
Before they are allowed through the strait, they must send complete information about the ship to Iran and obtain a certificate of passage.
Iran’s Joint Military Command said on Saturday that “control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous position under the strict management and control of the armed forces.”
It warned that it would continue to block transit through the strait as long as the US blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect. The military statement accused the US of “piracy”, saying its “so-called blockade” amounted to piracy.
Khatam al-Anbiya, the Iranian military’s operational command, said: “Until the US restores full freedom of navigation for ships of Iranian origin to a destination and from a destination back to Iran, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain strictly controlled and in its previous state.”
