Ship hit by projectile near Strait of Hormuz; Iran's IRGC says it attacked LPG carrier
In short
A ship was hit by a projectile and caught fire about 13 nautical miles west of the Al Jazirah area of the United Arab Emirates, near the Strait of Hormuz, around 2 p.m. on Oct. 9 (local time), UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it attacked the LPG carrier NV Sunshine (NV선샤인호) for using an unauthorised route, though Dong-A Ilbo said it has not been confirmed whether this is the same ship. The IRGC warned that ships transiting without approval will be tracked and punished, and that its response is not limited to the strait.
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A ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz was hit by an unidentified projectile on Oct. 9 (local time), UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said, according to Yonhap. UKMTO said the ship was attacked around 2 p.m. at a point 13 nautical miles (about 24 km) west of the Al Jazirah area of the United Arab Emirates, and a fire broke out. Newsis and Dong-A Ilbo, also citing UKMTO, described the location as waters near the strait. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Yonhap reported that the extent of damage and whether there were casualties had not yet been confirmed. Dong-A Ilbo reported that the fire caused by the strike had been put out, but that the condition of the crew, the extent of damage to the ship and whether there was environmental pollution were not confirmed. It said the relevant authorities were investigating and that UKMTO did not disclose the ship's name or who carried out the attack. [ 1 , 3 ]
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it attacked the NV Sunshine (NV선샤인호), a tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported, according to Yonhap. The IRGC claimed the ship was attacked while trying to pass through an illegal route south of the Strait of Hormuz, causing a large fire in its engine room and propulsion system and forcing it to stop operating. Dong-A Ilbo, citing Iran's Tasnim news agency, reported a similar IRGC statement but noted it has not been confirmed whether this is the same ship UKMTO reported. [ 1 , 3 ]
The IRGC warned that its response to ships violating its rules is no longer limited to the Strait of Hormuz. Yonhap quoted it as saying that all ships transiting without approval will be tracked and severely punished. According to Dong-A Ilbo, the IRGC said ships using unapproved routes would be tracked and punished across the region and that it would also take sanctions against other ships of shipping companies that violate its rules. [ 1 , 3 ]
Dong-A Ilbo reported that recent ship attacks have also occurred inside the Persian Gulf beyond the Strait of Hormuz. It said a tanker was attacked near Qatar on Oct. 7, making this the second ship attack reported in the area in three days. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The IRGC said its response to ships using unapproved routes would no longer be confined to the Strait of Hormuz and that it would also take action against other ships of shipping companies that violate its rules. Dong-A Ilbo reported this was the second ship attack reported in the area in three days, after a tanker was attacked near Qatar on Oct. 7.
Key facts
- UKMTO said a ship was hit by a projectile and a fire broke out on Oct. 9 (local time). [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The attack occurred around 2 p.m., 13 nautical miles (about 24 km) west of the Al Jazirah area of the UAE, according to UKMTO. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The IRGC said it attacked the LPG carrier NV Sunshine (NV선샤인호), which it said was trying to pass through an unauthorised route south of the Strait of Hormuz. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The IRGC said the attack caused a large fire in the ship's engine room and propulsion system. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Dong-A Ilbo reported the fire was put out, while crew condition, extent of damage and any environmental pollution were not confirmed. [ 3 ]
- UKMTO did not disclose the ship's name or the attacker, Dong-A Ilbo reported. [ 3 ]
- The IRGC warned that ships transiting without approval will be tracked and punished and that its response is not limited to the Strait of Hormuz. [ 1 , 3 ]
- A tanker was attacked near Qatar on Oct. 7, making this the second ship attack reported in the area in three days, according to Dong-A Ilbo. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- A ship was hit by a projectile near the Strait of Hormuz on Oct. 9 and caught fire, according to UKMTO. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- UKMTO placed the attack around 2 p.m., 13 nautical miles (about 24 km) west of Al Jazirah in the UAE. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The IRGC said it attacked the LPG carrier NV Sunshine, saying the ship was trying to use an unauthorised route south of the strait. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The IRGC warned that its response to violating ships is not limited to the Strait of Hormuz and that unapproved ships will be tracked and punished. [ 1 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the NV Sunshine named by the IRGC is the ship reported hit by UKMTO. Dong-A Ilbo said this has not been confirmed, and UKMTO did not name the ship.
- Casualties and the condition of the crew. Yonhap and Dong-A Ilbo said these had not been confirmed.
- The extent of damage to the ship and whether there was environmental pollution. Not confirmed according to Yonhap and Dong-A Ilbo; authorities are investigating, Dong-A Ilbo reported.
- Whether the ship was forced to stop operating. This comes only from the IRGC's own statement as reported by Yonhap.
- Whether the IRGC will act against other ships of companies it says violated its rules. Single-source claim reported by Dong-A Ilbo from an IRGC statement.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On Oct. 9, around 2 p.m., a ship is hit by a projectile 13 nautical miles west of Al Jazirah, UAE, and catches fire, according to UKMTO. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Yonhap reports the UKMTO account and the IRGC's claim of attacking the NV Sunshine. [ 1 ]
- On Oct. 10, Newsis publishes photos with captions on the UKMTO report. [ 2 ]
- Dong-A Ilbo reports the fire was put out and that it is unconfirmed whether the IRGC's target is the same ship. [ 3 ]