Iran strikes three more ships in the Strait of Hormuz and boasts of its "most intense operation."

Three merchant ships were hit by projectiles on Wednesday in the Strait of Hormuz, in what the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran (IRGC) described as its "most intense operation" to date. The affected vessels are the Thai bulk carrier Mayuree Naree, the Express Room, and the Star Gwyneth, the latter flying the flag of the Marshall Islands.

The IRGC explicitly claimed responsibility for the attacks on Mayuree Naree and Express Room, stating that both ignored Iranian warnings and navigated the strait without authorization from Tehran. Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, naval commander of the IRGC, publicly declared: "Any vessel attempting to pass must obtain permission from Iran."

The most serious case is that of the Mayuree Naree, owned by a subsidiary of the Thai shipping company Precious Shipping (PSL). The vessel was struck twice around 8:15 in the morning, local time, causing a fire in the engine room. Of its 23 crew members, 20 were evacuated safely to Oman, while three remain missing, presumably trapped in the engine room during the explosion.

The bulk carrier was sailing empty from Dubai to India and was in active communication with UKMTO (United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations). PSL reported that the ship was covered by war risk insurance and did not anticipate a significant financial impact.

The Star Gwyneth was impacted near Ras al-Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, with no serious injuries reported. On the same day, the IRGC launched Khorramshahr ballistic missiles for three hours against American and Israeli targets in the region.

These attacks occur within the context of the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, triggered on February 28, when the U.S. and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran. Since then, at least a dozen merchant vessels have been attacked in the area, resulting in at least seven confirmed deaths by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as of March 6, including the sinking of the Mussafah 2, with four dead and three missing.

Major shipping companies like Maersk and MSC have suspended their transits through the strait, which accounts for approximately 20% of the world's oil supply. Oil prices have risen from 66 to 81 dollars per barrel since the conflict began, with the risk of doubling in the event of a complete blockade.

The U.S. refused to provide naval escorts to merchant ships due to the high operational risk, even though President Trump had if Iran blocked the strait. The president declared last Monday that the war was "practically over". The new attacks this Wednesday contradict that assessment and confirm that merchant vessels remain in the line of fire.