cypriot-flagged ship — A Cypriot-flagged ship was “blatantly attacked” by Iranian forces while attempting to traverse the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by the United States’ defence department’s central command on Sunday.
The incident involved the M/V GFS Galaxy, a container ship transiting the crucial maritime route when it came under fire. US officials stated that this attack prompted them to launch the third round of strikes against Iran within the week. These military actions commenced in the early hours of Sunday morning, following the assault.
The US central command highlighted that a civilian crew member is currently missing, and the vessel itself is incapacitated due to a fire and significant damage in the engine room. The attack raises serious concerns about the safety of commercial shipping in the area.
The US government expressed disappointment, noting that Iran had previously been given an opportunity to adhere to an agreement signed last month aimed at easing tensions in the region. However, the latest actions by Iran demonstrated a continuation of hostilities, with US officials holding Iran accountable for prior attacks on commercial vessels.
“In response, the United States is imposing a heavy cost by continuing to degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the strait,” stated a representative of the US administration, alluding to directives from President Donald Trump.
Cypriot government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis confirmed that the shipping deputy ministry is actively investigating the incident. He noted that they are in contact with the management company of the ship and are monitoring developments closely. The evacuation of the crew has taken place, although the fate of the missing crew member remains uncertain. Letymbiotis confirmed that none of the crew members are Cypriot nationals, while the Indian foreign ministry later confirmed that the missing crew member is indeed an Indian national.
“Passing through the Strait of Hormuz is particularly difficult for all ships, regardless of flag, especially under the conditions of last night’s military operations,” Letymbiotis commented, highlighting the perilous nature of navigating the strait amidst ongoing military tensions.
In a significant escalation, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed on Sunday, further complicating maritime operations in this vital chokepoint. The strait is the only sea route that connects the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, and its closure has significant implications for global shipping and oil transport.
Iranian state media reported that the Iranian revolutionary guards fired a naval cruise missile at the vessel, claiming it was attempting to sail along an unapproved route. The ship reportedly was hit by warning shots before being forced to stop.
The renewed conflict has raised questions about the viability of last month’s diplomatic deal, with US defence secretary Pete Hegseth stating that Iran “made a poor choice” and would now face consequences for its actions.
Amidst this backdrop, Iran has also been involved in strikes on other states in the region, with drone and missile attacks reported in Jordan, Oman, and Qatar. However, the United Arab Emirates reported that it was not impacted by Iranian fire overnight.
