South Korean-operated vessel hit by explosion and fire in Strait of Hormuz

May 4, 2026

A vessel operated by South Korean shipping company HMM experienced a fire and explosion in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, May 4, 2026, with no casualties among South Korean nationals confirmed in initial checks. The incident occurred amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, with Iranian state media claiming to have struck US naval vessels including the USS Abraham Lincoln, while US Central Command denied any hits and stated Iranian missiles did not come close to US ships. US forces are enforcing a naval blockade on Iranian ports under Project Freedom, with the USS Abraham Lincoln conducting blockade operations in April 2026 and two US-flagged ships successfully transiting the strait on May 4. Iran has repeatedly claimed strikes against US naval forces over recent months and warned through Tasnim News Agency that additional military scenarios are prepared for activation if necessary.

Attack on South Korean vessel in Strait of Hormuz

▪The South Korean Foreign Affairs Ministry was verifying the attack on the South Korean vessel as of May 4, 2026.
▪No casualties among South Korean nationals were confirmed in the initial check following the attack on the South Korean vessel.
▪A South Korean ship sailing near the Strait of Hormuz was attacked on Monday, May 4, 2026.

Iranian claims of strikes on US naval ships

▪The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-aligned Fars News Agency claimed that two missiles hit a US naval frigate near the port of Jask at the Strait of Hormuz southern entrance.
▪Iran claimed to have struck the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in early March 2026.

US military response and blockade operations

▪The missiles launched by Iran did not come close to US ships, according to US Central Command.
▪An American official confirmed that Iran's navy did not hit a United States Navy ship near the Strait of Hormuz on May 4, 2026.
▪The USS Abraham Lincoln conducted US blockade operations related to the Strait of Hormuz in April 2026.
▪Two US-flagged ships successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, May 4, 2026.
▪US Central Command confirmed that no US ship had been hit on May 4, 2026.

Perspective of South Korea

▪South Korea's Foreign Affairs Ministry prioritized verifying the safety of South Korean nationals aboard the HMM-operated vessel following the May 4, 2026 incident.