An Indian bulk carrier, the Cape Dao, was attacked by the IRGC in the Strait of Hormuz on September 23, 2026. One crew member was killed and another wounded in the assault. The Antigua and Barbuda-flagged vessel was subsequently evacuated and caught fire, with thick black smoke rising from the ship. Video from the scene shows the burning carrier as seen from a nearby small boat carrying camouflaged armed personnel and a heavy machine gun.

The incident aligns with a pattern of IRGC enforcement actions against vessels viewed as non-compliant in the vital waterway. Maritime sources including Lloyd’s List and statements from the Indian government confirmed the Indian crew casualties. The attack has heightened concerns over the safety of commercial shipping through one of the world’s most critical chokepoints. Details on the precise method of attack and the full response from regional authorities continue to develop.