Iranian forces seized a vessel 38 nautical miles off the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) near the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, according to the British military. The ship, identified as the Honduras-flagged Hui Chuan, was boarded and taken by 'unauthorized personnel' while anchored northeast of the UAE's Fujairah port, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported. The vessel is now heading toward Iranian territorial waters.
The ship's operators told the maritime risk management company Vanguard that the Hui Chuan was operating as a 'floating armory,' storing weapons for security firms protecting ships from pirates. However, the BBC Verify could not confirm the contents or users of the ship. The seizure comes amid heightened tensions in the region, including a recent attack on an Indian-flagged vessel off the coast of Oman, which reportedly sank after a suspected explosion.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil trade, has seen increased activity by Iranian forces. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has seized several ships in recent months, citing disruptions to Iranian interests. Meanwhile, U.S. and Chinese leaders have emphasized the importance of keeping the strait open, with China reportedly coordinating ship passages through the area.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the UAE of playing an active role in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, citing a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The UAE has denied the meeting took place. Araghchi also demanded the release of four Iranian nationals arrested by Kuwait, accusing them of belonging to the IRGC.