Fox News: Iran Attack Hits U.S.-Contracted Ship Carrying American Personnel

A U.S.-contracted vessel carrying American personnel was struck in an Iranian drone and missile attack near the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week, Fox News reported Wednesday, citing two sources familiar with the incident.

The attack involved four Iranian drones and at least one missile, according to Fox News Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst. One of the weapons struck the vessel, causing minor injuries, including smoke inhalation.

The injured personnel were taken to an undisclosed Gulf country for treatment, according to the report.

Fox said some U.S. personnel were aboard the vessel but did not identify the ship, its operator, flag, exact location or the nature of its contract with the United States.

It was also unclear whether the vessel was participating in U.S.-supported commercial transits through the Strait of Hormuz.

The report adds another layer of uncertainty around shipping through the strategic waterway, where commercial traffic remains well below normal despite U.S. efforts to establish a safer southern transit route.

The incident appears to be separate from the recent attack on the tanker El Gaia, which was struck near the Strait of Hormuz before being taken under tow toward Oman. Two crew members from that vessel remain missing.

Iranian forces have repeatedly targeted commercial vessels and U.S. military assets around the strait during the six-month conflict, while the United States has carried out strikes against Iranian military positions and vessels it says are linked to Tehran’s efforts to restrict navigation.

The United States has also been facilitating some commercial transits through the southern portion of the strait as shipping companies remain reluctant to return to the waterway in large numbers.

The latest reported attack is particularly notable because American personnel were reportedly aboard the targeted vessel.

Neither U.S. Central Command nor other U.S. defense officials had publicly identified the vessel or released additional details about the incident as of Wednesday morning. gCaptain has also been unable to independently confirm the report.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most closely watched shipping chokepoints in the world, with continuing missile, drone and mine threats complicating efforts to restore normal commercial traffic.

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