Iran Guards say cargo ship sank in Hormuz after hitting mine

Iran's IRGC said a container ship caught fire and sank in the Strait of Hormuz after hitting a mine, claiming the vessel used an unauthorized shipping lane and carried over 2,500 containers. Separately, British security firm Vanguard reported the GFS Pride, a Singapore-flagged, UAE-owned container ship, was struck by a projectile on Tuesday and sank. It is unclear whether both reports refer to the same vessel.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Wednesday that a container ship caught fire and sank in the Strait of Hormuz after striking a mine. The IRGC navy stated the vessel was using an unauthorized shipping lane. Images released by the Guards showed a plume of black smoke and floating containers. The Guards said the ship was carrying more than 2,500 containers. Separately, British security firm Vanguard reported that the GFS Pride, a Singapore-flagged, UAE-owned container ship, was struck by a projectile on Tuesday and sank. It is not clear if the two statements refer to the same ship. Vanguard also reported three other ships struck on Tuesday, with two continuing and the fate of the third unknown. The report notes Iran claims control of the strait, through which one-fifth of the world's hydrocarbons passed before the Middle East war, and regularly targets ships it accuses of transiting without authorization. The article also includes a lengthy appeal for reader financial support.