International

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Fires at ‘Israeli-Owned’ Vessel, Strikes Thai Cargo Ship

Published

2 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Fires at ‘Israeli-Owned’ Vessel, Strikes Thai Cargo Ship

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has confirmed that it fired on two commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions in one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes.

In a statement, Iranian authorities said the vessels ignored repeated warnings from Iranian naval forces and failed to obtain the required permission before entering waters Tehran considers under its jurisdiction.

Iran identified one of the ships as the Liberia-flagged container vessel Express Rome, which the IRGC described as an “Israeli-owned vessel.” The second vessel was the Thailand-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree.

According to Iranian officials, both ships allegedly disregarded several radio warnings and attempted to proceed through the strait despite instructions from Iranian maritime authorities.

The Mayuree Naree was reportedly struck by at least two projectiles while sailing approximately 11 nautical miles north of Oman, causing heavy damage to the ship’s engine room and stern and igniting a large fire onboard.

Maritime safety agencies said the fire forced emergency evacuation procedures as rescue teams and nearby vessels responded to distress calls from the ship’s crew. Regional maritime authorities later assisted in rescue efforts and damage control operations.

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Most crew members aboard the Thai vessel were reported rescued, although initial reports indicated that some seafarers were temporarily unaccounted for before search operations were launched.

The second vessel, Express Rome, was reportedly targeted after Iranian forces claimed it had links to Israel and had also failed to comply with instructions to halt or change course while passing through the area.

Iranian naval authorities said the action was justified because the vessels “disregarded warnings” and attempted to navigate the Strait of Hormuz without complying with Iranian directives.

Tehran has repeatedly maintained that ships passing close to its territorial waters must follow navigation protocols and respond to communications from Iranian naval units operating in the region.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow but crucial maritime corridor connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Around 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports transit through the route each day, making it one of the most vital chokepoints in the global energy supply chain.

The latest incident comes amid rising tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States, with military forces and intelligence agencies from multiple countries closely monitoring maritime activity across the Gulf.

In recent days, maritime security agencies have also reported that several other commercial ships were struck by projectiles or damaged while navigating the Strait of Hormuz, forcing emergency evacuations and raising concerns about the safety of international shipping.

Some vessels reportedly suffered fires and structural damage, prompting rescue missions by regional naval forces and international maritime safety organisations.

Shipping companies and global maritime authorities are now closely monitoring the situation, with some operators considering alternative routes or delaying voyages due to growing security concerns.

Energy analysts warn that any sustained disruption in the Strait of Hormuz shipping route could have serious implications for global oil prices, energy markets and international trade, given the massive volume of oil and gas shipments that pass through the waterway daily.

The incident highlights the growing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with Iran asserting control over strategic waterways while regional and global powers weigh their responses in an effort to prevent a wider conflict that could threaten global shipping and energy supplies.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Fires at ‘Israeli-Owned’ Vessel, Strikes Thai Cargo Ship

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Saudi Arabia Intercepts Multiple Ballistic Missiles, Drones in Major Defence Operation

International

Saudi Arabia Intercepts Multiple Ballistic Missiles, Drones in Major Defence Operation

Published

11 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Trends Admin

Saudi Arabia Intercepts Multiple Ballistic Missiles, Drones in Major Defence Operation

Saudi Arabia’s air defence forces have shot down a wave of ballistic missiles and drones fired toward the kingdom as the Middle East conflict escalates, officials said on Wednesday, highlighting rising regional instability and ongoing threats to critical infrastructure. (Arab News)

According to the Saudi Ministry of Defense, at least seven ballistic missiles were intercepted and destroyed, including six aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base — a major military installation in Al‑Kharj — and one that was heading toward the Eastern Province. Additionally, Saudi air defences knocked down more than 20 attack drones targeting key locations including the Shaybah oil field in the Empty Quarter, Al‑Kharj, Hafar Al‑Batin, and other parts of the Eastern Province. (Arab News)

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Prince Sultan Air Base, used by both Saudi and allied forces, has been a repeated target in recent days as Iran and allied factions intensify cross‑border attacks in retaliation against US‑Israeli military operations in Iran that began in late February. These strikes are part of a broader barrage of missile and drone attacks across the Gulf region, complicating security and defence efforts for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. (Al Jazeera)

The Saudi government has vowed to protect its sovereignty and security, with the cabinet condemning the attacks on the kingdom and neighbouring states. In a recent session chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, officials reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to take “all necessary measures” to safeguard its territory and citizens from external threats. (Arab News PK)

The ongoing barrage has also threatened energy infrastructure and global oil markets. Brent crude prices surged earlier in the week — hitting historic highs before stabilising — as oil supplies from the Gulf region face disruption due to hostilities and shipping risks through the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil and LNG normally flows. (The Guardian)

Amin Nasser, CEO of Saudi Aramco, warned that continued disruptions could have “catastrophic consequences for the world’s oil markets,” stressing that prolonged instability would worsen the impact on global energy supply chains. (Arab News PK)

The conflict, which shows no immediate sign of abating despite statements from US President Donald Trump suggesting it could be drawing to a close, is expected to persist for months. Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has made clear that any end to hostilities will be decided on its terms. (Arab News PK)

Saudi Arabia Intercepts Multiple Ballistic Missiles, Drones in Major Defence Operation

International

Iran Continues Crude Oil Exports to China Despite Middle East Conflict

Published

11 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Trends Admin

Iran Continues Crude Oil Exports to China Despite Middle East Conflict

Iran has maintained a steady flow of crude oil exports to China despite escalating Middle East tensions and threats to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor. Since the outbreak of the conflict on February 28, 2026, Iranian vessels have transported at least 11.7 million barrels of crude oil to China, according to satellite-based tanker tracking data cited by CNBC and independent monitoring firms.

The Strait of Hormuz normally carries about 20 percent of global seaborne oil and LNG supplies, but the ongoing conflict involving US and Israeli military strikes has caused many international tankers to avoid the route due to the threat of attacks and naval mines. Despite this, Iranian tankers, including some that “went dark” by switching off tracking systems, have continued transporting crude to Chinese ports, highlighting Beijing’s reliance on Iranian oil.

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Maritime intelligence firms, such as TankerTrackers and Kpler, reported that multiple tankers have transited the strait in recent weeks. One supertanker flagged in Guyana carrying around 2 million barrels of crude recently passed through the strait en route to China, contributing to the total exports that now exceed 11 million barrels since the conflict began.

China remains Iran’s largest oil buyer, with long-standing contracts and strategic energy ties that have continued despite sanctions and heightened geopolitical risks. While Iranian crude continues flowing to China, other regional exporters, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq, have scaled back shipments due to conflict-related risks.

The sustained flow of Iranian oil through the Strait of Hormuz occurs even as global energy markets face rising freight costs, higher insurance premiums, and supply volatility. Analysts warn that continued disruptions could exacerbate fuel price spikes and threaten energy security for importing nations.

The ongoing exports underscore Iran’s determination to preserve vital revenue streams while China secures diverse crude sources amid global uncertainty, reflecting the resilience of their bilateral energy relationship even during a regional crisis.

Iran Continues Crude Oil Exports to China Despite Middle East Conflict

International

Iran Rejects Ceasefire as Explosions Rock Tehran

Published

14 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Trends Admin

Iran Rejects Ceasefire as Explosions Rock Tehran

Iran has rejected calls for a ceasefire, even as explosions shook Tehran and tensions rose sharply around the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping lane. The conflict, triggered by US–Israeli strikes on February 28 that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has spread rapidly across the Middle East, disrupting energy markets worldwide.

Iranian parliament speaker Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Tehran has no interest in halting the conflict. “Certainly we aren’t seeking a ceasefire,” he wrote on social media, adding that “the aggressor must be punished and taught a lesson to deter them from attacking Iran again.” The Pentagon confirmed that Tuesday saw its most intense wave of strikes inside Iran since the conflict began, deploying “the most fighters and the most bombers” to date. In response, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards launched fresh missile barrages on Israeli cities and US military targets, while explosions were also reported in Manama, Bahrain.

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The crisis has centred on the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20–25% of the world’s oil exports transit. Iranian attacks on shipping and threats to block the strait have already forced a halt in tanker traffic. US President Donald Trump warned that placing mines in the waterway would provoke military consequences “never seen before,” as US intelligence cited Iran laying explosives in the channel. Energy infrastructure across the Gulf is increasingly at risk. The UAE’s largest refinery at Ruwais shut down temporarily after a drone strike sparked a fire, while Qatari LNG exports have been disrupted, pushing European gas prices higher. Saudi Aramco CEO Amin H. Nasser warned that restoring shipping in the strait is “absolutely critical” to avoid severe global repercussions.

The global economic impact of the conflict is mounting. The United Nations cautioned that continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz could raise the cost of essentials worldwide, particularly fuel and food. In Cairo, residents report that higher fuel prices are already affecting daily life. Analysts warn that the conflict’s ongoing uncertainty could further destabilize global markets, driving oil and gas prices higher while increasing inflationary pressures on essentials.

The human cost of the conflict continues to rise. Hundreds of military and civilian casualties have been reported on both sides, with explosions and missile strikes in Tehran and neighboring regions terrifying residents. Despite efforts by other nations to mediate, neither Iran nor the US shows readiness to de-escalate, leaving the Middle East on edge and international markets bracing for further volatility.