Strait of Hormuz Tensions Rise After Cargo Ship Bound for India Comes Under Attack

Rising tensions in West Asia have spilled into one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors after a Thai-flagged bulk carrier bound for India was struck near the Strait of Hormuz , triggering international concern over the safety of global shipping routes.

The vessel, MV Mayuree Naree , was sailing from the United Arab Emirates toward Kandla Port in Gujarat when it came under attack on March 11 while passing through the narrow strait that connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman . Reports from maritime monitoring agencies indicated that projectiles struck the ship , sparking a fire onboard and forcing crew members to abandon parts of the vessel before emergency rescue operations were launched.

The Royal Thai Navy later confirmed that most of the 23 crew members aboard the vessel were rescued with the assistance of Oman’s navy , though the attack underscored the growing dangers faced by commercial ships navigating the region. Maritime authorities also reported that multiple vessels were targeted in the same area on the same day , suggesting a broader escalation of hostilities at sea.

The incident is widely believed to be linked to actions by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) amid the ongoing regional conflict. Iranian officials suggested the ship had entered waters under heightened military alert, though full details of the circumstances remain under investigation.

India reacted strongly to the development because the vessel was heading to an Indian port and because many Indian sailors work aboard international merchant ships. The Ministry of External Affairs said New Delhi deplores the targeting of commercial shipping , stressing that civilian vessels and their crews should never be caught in military confrontations. The ministry warned that attacks on merchant ships threaten innocent lives and disrupt global commerce , urging all parties involved in the conflict to respect freedom of navigation.

Governments across the world also expressed alarm over the incident. Thailand confirmed the attack on its flagged vessel and coordinated closely with regional authorities during rescue efforts. Western countries , including the United States and European partners, warned that escalating maritime attacks could undermine global energy security and international trade .

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most vital energy chokepoints, carrying around 20 percent of global crude oil shipments and large volumes of liquefied natural gas. Any disruption to traffic in the narrow waterway has immediate consequences for global markets. Following the latest attacks, oil and gas prices surged , while shipping companies began reviewing routes and insurers increased war-risk premiums for vessels entering the Gulf.

For India , the stakes are particularly high. The country depends heavily on energy imports from the Middle East , with a significant share of its oil and natural gas supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz. With tanker movement disrupted, gas supplies from the region have been affected , contributing to shortages of petroleum products, especially liquefied petroleum gas used for cooking .

Analysts warn that the attack on the Mayuree Naree highlights a dangerous shift in the conflict, where commercial ships are increasingly becoming targets of geopolitical tensions . If the security situation in the Gulf continues to deteriorate, it could trigger long-term disruptions to global energy supply chains , affecting economies far beyond the conflict zone.