TRIESTE – An explosion on a South Korean vessel in the Strait of Hormuz brings the issue of navigation safety back to the fore, as the confrontation between the United States and Iran intensifies.
A bulk carrier operated by South Korean company HMM, flying the Panamanian flag, was hit by an explosion followed by a fire while at anchor near the United Arab Emirates. According to authorities in Seoul, there were no casualties among the 24 crew members, but checks are still under way to establish whether it was an accident or an attack. The fire reportedly started in the engine room after the blast.
The incident comes in a context of growing instability in the area. UAE authorities reported a fire at an oil site in Fujairah attributed to an Iranian drone, while air defence systems were activated to intercept incoming missiles and drones. Reports of fires on other vessels off the UAE confirm a high-risk operational environment for commercial traffic.
On the military and political front, the dispute between Washington and Tehran over control of the Strait remains intense. The United States has launched “Project Freedom” to allow the passage of blocked commercial vessels, claiming it has already ensured the transit of some units. Iran disputes this version and says that no commercial vessel or tanker has crossed the Strait in recent hours, reiterating that all transit must take place under the coordination of its own forces.
The Revolutionary Guards have also warned that any vessel failing to comply with the rules imposed by Tehran may be stopped by force. In the same hours, Iranian sources spoke of warning shots fired at US units, while Washington denied that any of its vessels had been hit.