Panama-Flagged Ship Is Attacked and Panama Blames Iran

Panama-Flagged Ship Was Attacked and Panama Accuses Iran

Ship Attacked With No Injuries

Regional Maritime Tension Rises

The Government of Panama blamed Iran on Tuesday for a projectile attack against a Panama-flagged container ship in the Persian Gulf.

The incident adds to a series of reported attacks on strategic maritime routes in the region and led Panama to publicly condemn the aggression against a vessel registered under its flag.

Panama Condemns the Attack on the MSC Sariska V

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According to EFE, Panama strongly condemned, through a statement issued by its Foreign Ministry, what it described as an attack carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran against the container ship MSC Sariska V.

According to the official statement, the vessel was hit by projectiles on Monday after completing operations at the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr.

Panamanian authorities said the attack occurred after the ship had already completed its activities at that port terminal.

The statement also indicated that no civilian injuries were reported among the crew members.

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Panama highlighted its status as the world’s leading ship registry and administrator of the Panama Canal.

For that reason, it expressed its categorical rejection of any act of violence or coercion that could put the international merchant marine at risk.

The Foreign Ministry said these types of incidents affect the security of global maritime trade.

Panama Calls for Protection of Neutral Commercial Ships

Panama-flagged ship attacked – PHOTO: EFE

The official statement also recalled that Panama currently holds a seat as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

From that position, the country said it advocates an end to attacks directed against neutral commercial vessels.

Panamanian authorities said these actions contribute to the deterioration of maritime security in the Gulf region.

The government emphasized the need to preserve safe navigation conditions for vessels involved in international trade.

The official reaction came shortly after details became known about the incident reported in waters near Iraq.

Panama’s position reinforces concerns expressed by various maritime actors about the security of commercial routes crossing the Persian Gulf.

Tension Grows Along Major Maritime Routes After MSC Sariska V Attack

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency, known as UKMTO, previously reported that a cargo ship suffered an explosion after being struck by an unknown projectile.

The incident occurred 40 nautical miles southeast of Umm Qasr.

According to the agency’s notice, the vessel was transiting the area when it received a strong impact on its starboard side.

That impact later caused an explosion.

The episode adds to a series of incidents recorded in the Persian Gulf and the northern Arabian Sea.

According to available information, these attacks have occurred since Iran took control of the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for the war that the United States and Israel launched against the Islamic Republic at the end of February.

Between February 28 and Monday, UKMTO received 55 reports related to incidents affecting vessels operating in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman.

In addition, on April 23, the Panama Maritime Authority reported that no one was injured after a shooting attack against the Panama-flagged vessel Euphoria, which had occurred a day earlier in the Strait of Hormuz area.

The same authority said at the time that a second vessel registered under the Panamanian flag had been illegally seized by Iran.

Panama’s merchant marine currently has 8,638 flagged vessels and a total of 233.2 million gross register tons, making it one of the largest registered fleets in the world.