A vessel operating as a "floating armoury" in the Gulf of Oman has been seized by Iranian military personnel, according to maritime risk firm Vanguard. The ship is now bound for Iranian territorial waters, the UK Maritime Trade Operations confirmed.
BBC Verify examined ship-tracking data showing the vessel-identified as the Honduras-flagged Hui Chuan-last broadcast its location 70 kilometers northeast of Fujairah, UAE, on Wednesday. Its operators told Vanguard it stores weapons for security firms protecting ships from pirate attacks.
The seizure follows an attack on an Indian-flagged vessel, Haji Ali, off the coast of Oman on Wednesday. That ship reportedly sank after a suspected drone or missile explosion, but all 14 crew members were rescued by Omani authorities.
Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz situation was discussed Thursday during talks between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The White House said Xi opposed militarization of the strait, and both sides agreed it must remain open for free energy flow.