Thailand demands apology from Iran after vessel struck in Strait of Hormuz

Bangkok, Thailand on Thursday demanded an apology from Iran after a Thai vessel was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz a day earlier, causing a fire and forcing the crew to abandon the ship, Thailand’s Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry said it had summoned Iran’s ambassador in Bangkok to seek clarification on the circumstances surrounding the incident and to obtain details about the attack on the vessel.

In a statement, the Thai Foreign Ministry said it was requesting a formal explanation from Iranian authorities and pressing for an apology over the damage inflicted on the ship.

Officials said the projectile strike triggered a blaze on board, prompting the crew to evacuate the vessel for safety.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement carried by the Tasnim News Agency that the vessel had been “fired upon by Iranian fighters,” according to the report.

The statement did not provide further details about the circumstances that led to the strike.

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints for energy shipments, has come under heightened scrutiny amid rising tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran and its regional adversaries.

The incident involving the Thai vessel adds to growing concerns about risks to commercial shipping passing through the narrow waterway.