Thailand has formally requested an apology from Iran after a Thai-flagged cargo vessel was struck and damaged while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions in the region continue to disrupt one of the world’s most important shipping routes.

The vessel, the bulk carrier Mayuree Naree, was hit by projectiles while sailing near the entrance to the strait after departing from the United Arab Emirates.

The strike caused a fire on board and forced much of the crew to abandon the ship while rescue efforts were launched by nearby naval forces.

There were twenty three crew members on board at the time of the incident, with twenty rescued and three initially reported missing.

Thailand’s foreign ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador in Bangkok to convey its strongest protest over the attack and requested that Iranian authorities issue a formal apology.

Officials said the incident raised serious concerns about the safety of commercial shipping and the protection of civilian crews operating in international waters.

The attack occurred amid a wider escalation of hostilities in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow maritime corridor between Iran and Oman that carries roughly one fifth of the world’s oil shipments and large volumes of liquefied natural gas.

The strategic passage has experienced repeated disruptions as regional tensions intensified in recent weeks.

Maritime monitors reported that several merchant vessels have been struck in the waterway as military activity increases across the Gulf.

In the case of the Thai-registered ship, two projectiles ignited a blaze in the engine room, prompting an emergency evacuation of most crew members while naval forces in the area coordinated rescue operations.

The broader crisis follows escalating confrontation between Iran and its adversaries in the region, which has led to warnings from Iranian military officials restricting navigation through the strait and threatening vessels that attempt to pass without authorization.

Shipping companies and insurers have responded by suspending some voyages and cancelling war-risk coverage, leaving hundreds of vessels waiting outside the waterway.

Thailand’s government said its priority remains the safety of the crew and the secure passage of Thai-flagged vessels operating abroad.

Diplomatic channels are now being used to seek clarification from Tehran while Bangkok monitors developments in the volatile maritime corridor.

The incident highlights the growing risks facing global shipping as geopolitical tensions spill into key trade routes, raising concerns about the security of energy supplies and the stability of maritime commerce across the Gulf region.