DUBAI — A container ship near the Strait of Hormuz was attacked by an Iranian gunship early Wednesday after US President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire hours before it was set to expire, according to the UK Maritime Traffic Organization (UKMTO). The ship was approached by a gunboat belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which gave no radio warning before it “fired upon the vessel,” the maritime authority said. The attack caused “heavy damage to the bridge,” it added. The crew were reported safe, with no fires or environmental impacts caused. The report did not give additional detail on the ship, such as its flag state or current location. Announcing the decision to extend the ceasefire on Truth Social early Wednesday, Trump said that attacks on Iran will continue to be on hold until Tehran submits its proposal and discussions are concluded. Trump also directed the US military to continue the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz amid heightening tensions between Tehran and Washington. The latest Iranian attack on Gulf shipping follows several other incidents in recent days. In a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday night, Trump said the Iranian leadership has “forced hundreds of ships” towards oil-rich US states, such as Texas, Louisiana, and Alaska. While it is unclear the type of ships he was referring to, shipping and trading analysts say the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran has indeed driven a surge in demand for US crude oil. Last Saturday, New Delhi said two Indian-flagged vessels were fired upon while traveling through the strait. Data from marine analytics firm Kpler suggests 71 oil tankers known as Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) are headed to the US to take on cargo compared with an average of 27 on any given day last year. “Buyers from Europe and Asia saw oil loading out of the Atlantic basin — including from the US Gulf coast — as an accessible, plentiful solution to fill the supply gap,” says David Haydon, head of US crude tanker freight pricing at Argus Media, a market intelligence firm. This appears to be driving an increase in US crude exports.Maritime research consultancy Drewry says that, in the week ending 10 April, shipments reached 5.2 million barrels per day – the highest level in seven months. Meanwhile, US troops boarded of an oil tanker in the Indian Ocean on Tuesday making good on a pledge to track Iran-linked vessels anywhere in the world as the Trump administration tries to force concessions to end the war. US Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Dan Caine last week emphasized that Iran-linked vessels would have a hard time avoiding the global reach of the US Navy, and specifically mentioned the area overseen by US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM). Marine tracking data showed the tanker, the M/T Tifani, with the capacity to carry 2 million barrels of crude oil, was stopped between Sri Lanka and Indonesia, more than 2,000 miles from the Arabian Gulf and within the INDOPACOM area of responsibility. Video released on social media by the US Defense Department showed troops boarding helicopters on a US Navy warship and landing on the tanker, which Washington says is stateless, sanctioned and part of the “dark fleet” that helps move Iranian oil around the world. “As we have made clear, we will pursue global maritime enforcement efforts to disrupt illicit networks and interdict sanctioned vessels providing material support to Iran — anywhere they operate,” the social media post said, adding that “International waters are not a refuge for sanctioned vessels.” But Iranian leaders are citing US blockade efforts as a hindrance to new peace talks. — Agencies
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