The Epaminondas ship is seen during seizure by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran, in this image obtained by Reuters on April 24, 2026. (Credit: Meysam Mirzadeh/Tasnim/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters)
A ship off the UAE coast near the Strait of Hormuz has been taken by unknown people and is now headed towards Iranian waters, a UK maritime agency said on Thursday.
The vessel was "taken by unauthorized personnel whilst at anchor" 38 nautical miles (70 kilometers) northeast of Fujairah, and "is now bound for Iranian territorial waters," according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre.
Several ships have been attacked in or near the key waterway as Iran and the United States push on with rival blockades.
Iran has largely blocked shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — which normally carries one fifth of the world's oil and LNG shipments — since the outbreak of war with the United States and Israel on Feb. 28.
The United States has imposed its own naval blockade on Iranian ports despite a fragile cease-fire in place since April 8.
On Sunday, South Korea said a cargo ship had been struck by unidentified aircraft in Hormuz, while Qatar said a freighter arriving in the country's waters from Abu Dhabi was hit by a drone.
