Iranian military personnel seized the Honduras-flagged vessel Hui Chuan, reportedly operating as a 'floating armoury' in the Gulf of Oman, according to multiple reports. The ship was boarded while at anchor 38 nautical miles northeast of Fujairah, UAE, and is now heading toward Iranian territorial waters.
Key Takeaways
Iranian forces seized the Honduras-flagged vessel Hui Chuan in the Gulf of Oman near Fujairah, UAE. The ship was reportedly operating as a 'floating armoury' storing weapons for security firms protecting ships from pirates.
- Iranian personnel boarded and took control of the Honduran-flagged vessel Hui Chuan
- Ship identified by UKMTO as a floating armoury with weapons storage facilities
- Vessel last seen 38 nautical miles northeast of Fujairah, UAE before heading to Iran
- Indian ship Haji Ali sank off Oman coast after suspected drone or missile attack
The UK's Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed the seizure, stating that contact with the vessel has been lost as it no longer transmits its position through the Automated Identification System (AIS). The ship's operator, listed as Marshall Islands-based SG Navigation, could not be reached for comment. Ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic shows the vessel had spent the last month off the north-east coasts of Oman and the UAE.
The Hui Chuan is described by UKMTO as a floating armoury which stores weapons for security firms protecting ships at sea from pirate attacks. However, BBC Verify cannot confirm what was on the ship or who it was used by. The apparent seizure comes after an Indian-flagged vessel, Haji Ali, reportedly sank off the coast of Oman following a suspected explosion believed to have been caused by a 'drone or missile'. All 14 Indian crew members were rescued by Omani authorities.
Tensions in the Persian Gulf remain high during an uneasy ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The situation in the Strait of Hormuz was discussed during talks between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, where both agreed that the strait must remain open to support the free flow of energy.
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