Two vessels carrying 24 Indian seafarers hit by projectiles, drone in separate incidents

A crude oil tanker, the MT ST 3, carrying 15 Indian crew members was hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, according to India's Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal. The minister assured that all of the Indian crew were safe and not harmed. Sonowal stated that his ministry is closely monitoring the situation and maintaining contact with the vessel's management to guarantee the safety and welfare of the crew.

In a similar incident earlier this month, a vessel owned by Dubai's Onex shipping company was attacked in the same waterway. The attack resulted in injuries to 12 crew members, including 11 Indians, but the Indian Ministry of External Affairs reported that all those injured were treated and released.

More recently, a Singapore-registered container ship, the GFS Pride, caught fire and sank in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday after being targeted by an unknown projectile. All 21 crew members were successfully evacuated and no one was hurt, according to Singapore's maritime authority.

These attacks underscore the heightened risks to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing US-Iran conflict. The escalation of tensions has led to a surge in attacks on vessels attempting to transit this important waterway, with at least two ships now sunk. The maritime incidents have driven crude oil prices above $100 per barrel in the US, a significant increase from previous levels.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has been utilizing drones, missiles, and sea mines in an attempt to disrupt oil exports and exert economic pressure on the US by raising crude oil prices.