Image for representation purposes only Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for an alleged strike on the container vessel MSC Sariska V after an explosion damaged the ship near Iraq’s Umm Qasr port. However, some officials said the explosion may have been caused by a mechanical problem onboard rather than an attack. The incident occurred on June 1 when the Panama-flagged MSC Sariska V was sailing southeast of Umm Qasr. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the vessel experienced a large explosion after a possible impact from an unknown projectile on its starboard side about 40 nautical miles (74 km) southeast of the Iraqi port. UKMTO later reported a second impact that caused a fire onboard. The fire was extinguished and no injuries were reported among the crew. The agency also said it was not aware of any environmental damage and that authorities had launched an investigation. The vessel was later identified as MSC Sariska V, a container ship operated by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). According to reports, the vessel had arrived at Umm Qasr from Qatar and loaded 96 containers before departing the port. Iranian state media reported that the IRGC had carried out a retaliatory strike against a “US-owned” vessel. The reports claimed the vessel was hit by a cruise missile in response to an earlier attack on the Iranian vessel Lian Star in the Oman Sea. The IRGC described the operation as retaliation for a previous offensive against an Iranian vessel near Oman. However, the missile strike claim has not been independently verified. There are conflicting reports about the cause of the explosion. Panama-flagged container ship was hit near Umm Qasr, Iraq. UKMTO reports an unknown projectile hit the starboard side, causing a large explosion. Iraqi sources say it may be a mechanical fault instead. pic.twitter.com/j4uBgoJ1G2 — Clash Report (@clashreport) June 1, 2026 A security source cited by Iraqi media