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Iran intercepts vessel suspected of storing weapons
Iranian forces have seized a ship believed to function as a floating armoury in the Gulf of Oman, according to maritime security analysts. The Honduras-flagged Hui Chuan was en route to Iranian waters when intercepted, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed.
Ship's role and recent movements
The vessel's operators told risk management firm Vanguard it served as a weapons depot for private security teams protecting commercial ships from piracy. Ship-tracking data reviewed by BBC Verify shows the Hui Chuan last transmitted its position 70km northeast of Fujairah, UAE, on Wednesday.
Over the past month, the ship remained anchored off the coasts of Oman and the UAE, a common practice for floating armouries operating in the region.
Unverified cargo and prior incidents
Vanguard and BBC Verify could not independently confirm the vessel's cargo or its clients. Such ships typically store firearms and ammunition for maritime security contractors, allowing quick transfers to merchant vessels transiting high-risk areas like the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The seizure follows an attack on an Indian-flagged livestock carrier, the Haji Ali, off Oman's coast on Wednesday. The ship reportedly sank after a suspected drone or missile strike triggered a fire, though all 14 Indian crew members were rescued by Omani authorities.
Regional tensions escalate
India's Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack on the Haji Ali as "unacceptable." The incident occurred amid broader concerns over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments.
During talks in Beijing on Thursday, US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed their opposition to the strait's militarization. A White House statement noted both leaders agreed the waterway "must remain open to support the free flow of energy."
Broader context
Floating armouries have faced scrutiny for operating in legal gray zones, often registered under flags of convenience. Their presence in the Gulf of Oman has grown alongside rising piracy threats and regional conflicts, including attacks on commercial shipping linked to Yemen's Houthi rebels.
"Supplies on these vessels are rarely disclosed, raising concerns about accountability,"
Maritime security analyst, Vanguard
