Two merchant vessels have sunk successively in the Strait of Hormuz, with the threat of attacks now extending from oil tankers to container ships and bulk carriers. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has declared it is eagerly awaiting an opportunity to sink U.S. warships. The U.S. maintains it still controls the strait.
The shipping security risks in the Strait of Hormuz are further escalating. Maritime officials stated on Wednesday that two merchant vessels sank following separate projectile attacks. The Singapore-flagged container ship GFS Pride was damaged and caught fire while transiting the strait, with all 21 crew members rescued; the bulk carrier Cape Dao, previously attacked, ultimately sank, resulting in the death of one crew member.
Over the past 10 days, attacks in the Strait and surrounding waters have significantly increased. Iran has stated that it is intensifying its efforts in response to the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and stricter sanctions imposed last month.
Two cargo ships sank, with the attack extending beyond tankers.
The GFS Pride has a capacity of 2,824 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority confirmed on Wednesday that the vessel suffered damage and caught fire while passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, subsequently sinking; all 21 crew members were safely evacuated with no injuries.
Another bulk carrier, the Cape Dao, flying the flag of Antigua and Barbuda, has also sunk. Data from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) indicates that the vessel was struck by projectiles on September 23, and sank several weeks later. Maritime sources report that the crew evacuated immediately after the attack, resulting in one fatality and the rescue of the remaining personnel.
Neither of the ships' management companies immediately responded to requests for comment. The Cape Dao is managed by Peonies Shipmanagement FZE, based in the UAE, and the GFS Pride is managed by GFS Ship Management FZE, a UAE-based company.
According to an analysis of International Maritime Organization accident data, since the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran war on February 28, the "GFS Pride" and the "Cape Dao" were the second and third vessels to sink, respectively.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore expressed serious concern over the ongoing attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, describing such attacks as "unprovoked, unjustified, and in violation of international law."
Maritime risk company MARISKS also warned on Wednesday that the latest incident once again highlights the ongoing threats faced by commercial vessels transiting the strait. The company noted that the risks are no longer limited to tankers—container ships and bulk carriers are equally vulnerable to severe damage.
Previously, the Maltese-flagged container ship Safeen Prestige was struck by a projectile in March and later sank north of the Strait of Hormuz. In April, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked and seized the container ship MSC Francesca.
Iran threatens to sink U.S. ships, raising the risk of war once again.
Amid a series of attacks on merchant vessels, Iran has issued a strong threat against the U.S. Navy.
According to Iranian state-affiliated media, Ali Ozmaei, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said in a televised interview on Wednesday that Tehran is “counting down the moments” as it waits for an opportunity to strike U.S. warships.
“If Americans believe the Strait of Hormuz is open, let them come closer. We are eager to sink U.S. warships,” Ozmai said.
He later further stated that Iran is waiting for U.S. warships to approach the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz so that they can be sunk, and said he is “counting down nonstop, waiting for this moment to arrive.” CNBC has sought a response from the White House regarding these remarks.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Iran is strengthening defenses around sensitive sites such as nuclear facilities and has informed regional officials that if the United States launches another strike, Iran’s retaliation will extend across the entire Middle East.
The report also stated that Iran is preparing for a possible resurgence of war in the coming weeks and is mobilizing its domestic population to respond to a potential escalation of conflict.
On Thursday, U.S. President Trump stated that U.S. forces would not attack Iran before the November 3 U.S. midterm elections.
On Wednesday, Trump harshly criticized the leakers at a rally in Arizona, saying they "should be shot," and claimed that a U.S. military operation against Iran was canceled because the departure time was prematurely exposed by the media.
He revealed that the B-2 stealth bomber was originally ordered to deploy to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, but the mission was delayed by two days until U.S. officials believed the adversary would not anticipate the strike.
He said, “Someone leaked it—a despicable person. They should be sent to prison and executed. They should spend their entire life behind bars.”
Trump continued, "They leaked the information that we would depart at 12:07 p.m. Missouri time—both The New York Times and CNN reported it. They revealed both our departure and arrival times."
Trump said that two days later, U.S. forces carried out the operation as originally scheduled. He said, "That was the only time they didn't expect us to act."
Trump called the leakers "the lowest people in the world" and added that they "should be dealt with very, very harshly."
The U.S. military says it still controls the strait, emphasizing that oil shipments have not stopped.
On Wednesday night, U.S. Central Command refuted claims that Iran was attempting to strengthen its control over the Strait of Hormuz on the social platform X.
U.S. Central Command stated that the commander of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy "does not possess a real navy," and emphasized that U.S. forces and regional partners clearly control the Strait of Hormuz.
The statement also said that the day before, U.S. forces assisted Gulf region partners in transporting more than 19 million barrels of crude oil through the strait.