Naval Operation to Control the Strait of Hormuz – Vessels Targeted by Iran from the Start of the War until May 15, 2026
In response to the US-Israeli attacks against Iran on February 28, 2026, Iran’s armed forces closed the Strait of Hormuz and took control of traffic through it. As part of implementing new regulations and management of the strait, Iran has warned all vessels that henceforth all transit through the strait will be conducted in coordination with Iran. Vessels are required to comply with the new rules, and any violation or unauthorised passage through the Strait of Hormuz will result in the vessels being struck and the offending ships seized.
Accordingly, since the beginning of the war, 50 military and commercial vessels linked to the US and the Zionist regime, as well as violating vessels, have been attacked and struck in the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz. In addition, four violating vessels have been seized by Iran’s naval special forces and transferred to Iranian shores.
The information on the vessels attacked and seized is as follows:
Vessels that have been attacked:
1- Cargo ship AYE H on February 28, 2026, near Zirku Island, Abu Dhabi
2- Oil tanker OCEAN ELECTRA on March 1, 2026, 35nm off Sharjah
3- Oil tanker SKYLIGHT on March 1, 2026, 5nm north of Khasab
4- Oil tanker HERCULES STAR on March 1, 2026, 17nm off Port Saqr
5- Oil tanker MKD VYOM on March 1, 2026, 17nm northwest of Port Saqr
6- Oil tanker SEA LA DONNA on March 1, 2026, 35nm west of Sharjah
7- Oil tanker STENA IMPERATIVE on March 2, 2026, off the coast of Bahrain
8- Bitumen/Asphalt tanker ATHE NOVA on March 2, 2026, 50nm off Muscat
9- Bulk carrier GOLD OAK on March 4, 2026, 7nm east of Fujairah
10- Tanker LIBRA TRADER on March 4, 2026, 10nm east of Fujairah
11- Container ship SAFEEN PRESTIGE on March 4, 2026, Strait of Hormuz
12- Bulk carrier PELAGIA on March 4, 2026, 137nm east of Muscat
13- Container ship MSC GRACE on March 4, 2026, 20nm west of Dubai
14- Oil tanker SONANGOL NAMIBE on March 4, 30nm off Mubarak Al-Kabeer
15- Tugboat MUSSAFAH 2 on March 6, 2026, in the Strait of Hormuz
16- Oil tanker LOUIS P on March 7, 2026, near Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia
17- Oil tanker PRIMA on March 7, 2026, in the Strait of Hormuz
18- An unidentified vessel on March 7, 2026, in the Strait of Hormuz
19- Drilling Jack Up ARABIA III on March 7, 2026, near Al Jubail
20- Bulk carrier GH KAHLO on March 10, 2026, 36nm north of Abu Dhabi
21- Bulk carrier MAYUREE NAREE on March 11, 25nm off Ras Al Khaimah
22- Bulk carrier STAR GWYNETH on March 11, 2026, near the UAE
23- Container ship ONE MAJESTY on March 11, 2026, 50nm north of Dubai
24- Oil tanker ZEFYROS on March 11, 2026, off the coast of Kuwait
25- Oil tanker SAFE SEA VISHNU on March 11, 5nm off the coast of Basra
26- Container ship SOURCE BLESSING on March 12, 2026, near Jebel Ali
27- Oil tanker GAS AL AHMADIAH on March 17, 2026, 23nm east of Fujairah
28- Coastal vessel HALUL 69 on March 19, 2026, 4nm off Ras Laffan
29- Oil tanker Parimal on March 18, 2026, 11nm east of Khor Fakkan
30- Bulk carrier PHOENIX on March 21, 2026, 15nm off Sharjah
31- Oil tanker AL SALMI on March 30, 2026, at Dubai Port
32- Container ship EXPRESS ROME on March 30, 2026, near Ras Tanura
33- Container ship HAIPHONG EXPRESS on March 30, 2026, at Dubai Port
34- Oil tanker AQUA 1 on April 1, 2026, 17nm north of Doha
35- Container ship MSC Ishyka on April 4, 2026, off the coast of Bahrain
36- Container ship GFS PERFECT on April 5, 2026, near Khor Fakkan
37- Container ship QINGDAO STAR on April 5, 2026, near Jebel Ali Port
38- Container ship SDN7 on April 6, 2026, location unknown
39- Unknown vessel on April 7, 2026, 25nm south of Kish Island
40- Oil tanker SANMAR HERALD on April 18, 2026, in the Strait of Hormuz
41- Bulk carrier AGJ ARNAV on April 18, 2026, in the Strait of Hormuz
42- Cruise ship MEIN SCHIFF 4 on April 18, 2026, near the Strait of Hormuz
43- Container ship CMA CGM Everglade on April 18, 2026, Strait of Hormuz
44- Container ship Euphoria on April 22, 2026, in the Strait of Hormuz
45- Cargo ship HMM Namu on May 3, 2026, north of Umm Al Quwain
46- Unidentified bulk carrier on May 3, 2026, near Sirik
47- Oil tanker BARAKAH on May 3, 2026, off the coast of Khasab
48- Oil tanker JV INNOVATION on May 4, 2026, near Ras Al Khaimah
49- Container ship CMA CGM San Antonio on May 5, 2026, Strait of Hormuz
50- Container ship Safesea Neha on May 10, 2026, near Qatar
Vessels that have been seized:
1- Container ship Epaminondas on April 22, 2026, near Sirik
2- Container ship MSC Francesca on April 22, 2026, near Sirik
3- Oil tanker Ocean Koi (Jin Li) on May 8, 2026, in the Gulf of Oman
4- Support vessel Hui Chuan on May 14, 2026, 38nm off Fujairah
Iran’s operations have been carried out using USVs, suicide drones, naval cruise missiles, anti‑ship ballistic missiles, assaults by armed boats, and other means. It is also worth noting that Iran’s attacks have so far resulted in the sinking of one tugboat, the complete destruction and disabling of 17 ships, and damage of various levels to another 32 ships.
It is essential to note that Iran’s naval operations in southern waters have yielded very important political, economic, military, and other results, challenging countries around the world. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most vital waterways, through which at least one third of the world’s total commercial energy – including oil and gas products – passes. By managing this strategic chokepoint, Iran has gained a very strong strategic lever to counter the oppressive sanctions of the US regime.
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