Cargo Ship Struck by Projectiles in Iraqi Port

A cargo ship owned by Mediterranean Shipping Company was struck by two projectiles as it left the Port of Umm Qasr in Iraq on Monday. The Geneva-based company said all crew members remained safe and unharmed. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps claimed responsibility for the attack through Tasnim, a semiofficial outlet.

The group said it acted in response to U.S. strikes on an Iranian vessel in the Gulf of Oman.

U.S. Action Against Iranian Vessel U.S.

Central Command stated that a U.S. aircraft fired a Hellfire missile into the engine room of the vessel Lian Star on Friday after its crew failed to comply with warnings. The statement said the ship was no longer heading to Iran. As of Monday, U.S. Central Command reported it had disabled five commercial vessels and redirected 121 others under the blockade.

More than 25 vessels have been attacked in the region since late February, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center.

Company said Iran’s actions were unwarranted and stated that the company has no affiliation with the United States or Israel. The firm noted it is privately held and employs 200,000 people worldwide. The Sariska V was headed to Qatar’s Hamad Port, according to MarineTraffic data. The company said it remains concerned about risks to seafarers and regional maritime trade.