The Mayuree Naree, a Thai-flagged cargo ship, was attacked while trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz after departing Khalifa Port in the UAE en route to Kandla, India.
The Thai Navy released photos showing heavy black smoke rising from the vessel and lifeboats deployed nearby. Twenty crew members were rescued, and another three remained missing.
Iran has claimed responsibility for the attack, as tensions continue to escalate across the region following U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s threats to target shipping in one of the critical energy bottlenecks.
The 178-meter bulk carrier was carrying cargo through waters responsible for roughly 20% of global oil trade