Strait of Hormuz: a CMA CGM container ship attacked and sailors injured, the government denounces “unacceptable” facts

The container ship “San Antonio” flying the Maltese flag and belonging to the French shipowner CMA CGM was “the subject of an attack” on Tuesday May 5 in the Strait of Hormuz, the company CMA CGM confirmed this Wednesday morning in a brief press release sent to AFP.

The attack left “crew members injured” who were “evacuated and treated”, and caused “damage” to the ship, CMA CGM added. “The injured crew members have been evacuated and are receiving necessary medical treatment,” we can also read.

A “projectile of unknown origin”

Just a few minutes before the French shipowner’s communication to Agence France Presse, the government spokesperson denounced the attack. “I cannot confirm (the attack) this morning but if it were really true, it would obviously be unacceptable,” declared Maud Bregeon on France Info.

The British maritime safety agency UKTMO reported that a cargo ship was hit late Tuesday by a “projectile of unknown origin” in the Strait of Hormuz, without identifying it.

“The environmental impact is not known at the time of writing this report. Vessels are advised to report any suspicious activity to the UKMTO while authorities conduct their investigation,” the agency wrote.

Since the start of the war on February 28, Tehran has controlled the Strait of Hormuz, strategic for global hydrocarbon trade. On Tuesday, Donald Trump indicated that he was suspending the US operation to escort ships through the strait, in an effort to reach an agreement with Iran to end the war in the Middle East.

He specified that this pause had been decided at “the request of Pakistan and other countries”, while noting the maintenance of the American blockade of Iranian ports, which entered into force on April 13