French shipping company CMA CGM said on Wednesday, May 6, one of its vessels had been hit by an attack in the Strait of Hormuz. “The CMA CGM San Antonio was the target of an attack yesterday while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in injuries among crew members and damage to the vessel,” the shipping firm said, adding those injured had been evacuated for treatment.
President Emmanuel Macron said France was “in no way the target,” according to government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon. The Maltese-flagged vessel was not sailing under a French flag and was manned by a Philippine crew, she said, adding France extended its “solidarity” to those on board.
The vessel was attacked a day after US President Donald Trump launched the so-called “Project Freedom” to help vessels leave the Strait of Hormuz. On Tuesday, Trump said he was halting the US military operation to escort ships through the vital strait, in a bid to reach a deal with Iran to end the war.
Iran has refused to surrender control of the strait, using it as leverage in the conflict, which began with US-Israeli attacks on Iran in late February.
