More attacks on merchant vessels reported in Strait of Hormuz

More attacks on merchant vessels have been reported at the Strait of Hormuz in recent days, with many of the incidents occurring along shipping routes near the Omani side of the strait.

In a statement on Friday, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) said that since the beginning of the U.S. and Israel's conflict with Iran, 15 of its vessels have been attacked by missiles and drones while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, including three attacked this week. These incidents have left one crew member dead and 20 others injured.

In close coordination with the relevant authorities, ADNOC is taking all necessary measures to protect its personnel, assets and operations, and meet its customer requirements as much as possible, the statement reads.

A merchant vessel caught fire after being struck near the eastern entrance of the Strait of Hormuz, according to a recording of ship-to-ship radio communications provided by a seafarer on Friday evening, London Time.

The recording, transmitted over an open maritime radio channel, showed crew members battling a fire and urgently requesting assistance.

According to the communications, the vessel was near the Omani coast when it was struck, sparking a fire in the engine room.

The crew had activated the ship's on-board carbon dioxide fire suppression system and attempted to control the blaze. Firefighting efforts were complicated by a failure of the ship's hydraulic system, the recording indicated.

In another segment of the communications, several nearby vessels said they were heading toward the site to provide assistance.

More attacks on merchant vessels reported in Strait of Hormuz

More attacks on merchant vessels reported in Strait of Hormuz

More attacks on merchant vessels reported in Strait of Hormuz

More attacks on merchant vessels reported in Strait of Hormuz

China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and opposing foreign interference, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday, in response to a media inquiry on the development of China-Cuba relations.

"Over the 66 years since China and Cuba established diplomatic relations, the friendship between the two countries has been passed down from generation to generation. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the building of a China-Cuba community with a shared future has continued to deepen and become more substantive," said Guo Jiakun, the spokesman, at a press conference in Beijing.

"No matter how the international landscape may change, China will, as always, firmly support Cuba in exploring a socialist development path suited to its national conditions, and firmly support Cuba in safeguarding national sovereignty and opposing foreign interference," he said.

China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding national sovereignty: spokesman