Two cargo ships sink near Strait of Hormuz, raising maritime security concerns

Two cargo ships have sunk near the Strait of Hormuz within the past 24 hours. According to maritime security officials, both vessels were damaged in separate missile strikes.

The small Singapore-flagged container ship GFS Pride sank after being damaged and catching fire while transiting the waterway. According to Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority, all 21 crew members aboard the vessel were safely rescued.

Two Singapore-registered ships were struck on Tuesday and Wednesday, one of which managed to reach a safe location. The Antigua and Barbuda-flagged bulk carrier Cape Dao also sank in the same area.

The number of ships sunk in the region since the US-Iran war began has reached three. Attacks on commercial vessels around this waterway have increased sharply over the past 10 days.

Iran has said it has escalated attacks in response to the US blockade of its ports and the harsh sanctions imposed last month. Iran's Revolutionary Guard navy has claimed that one cargo ship sank after striking a sea mine it had laid, though it remains unclear whether that vessel is the same as the sunken Singapore-registered ship.

Singapore's authority has called such attacks unprovoked and in violation of international law. These incidents have heightened concerns about global energy supplies.