On March 12, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand summoned Iran’s ambassador in Bangkok, Nasiruddin Heydari, and presented an official protest note regarding the missile strike on Thailand’s cargo ship "Mayuree Naree" in the Hormuz Strait.
According to Medianews.az citing Musavat.com, the Thai side firmly condemned the violence against the peaceful commercial vessel and demanded an official apology from the Tehran government.
Although 20 out of the 23 crew members were rescued by the Oman Naval Forces, three employees of the engine department are still considered missing. According to initial assumptions, they were trapped there during the fire in the engine compartment caused by the missile strike.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran (SEPAH) took responsibility for the attack, stating that the Thai ship was targeted "because it ignored warnings." However, Bangkok emphasized that the ship was without ballast (unloaded) and did not carry any military cargo.
The 30,000-ton "Mayuree Naree," flying the Marshall Islands flag and owned by the "Precious Shipping" company, is currently still burning near the coasts of Oman. International rescue teams have been involved to extinguish the fire on the vessel.
At Thailand's initiative, an emergency meeting of the foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be held on March 13. The meeting will discuss Iran’s attacks on civilian ships and the region’s energy security.
Thai Foreign Ministry official Sirilak Niyom told the ambassador that such actions, which endanger the lives of peaceful civilians, constitute a gross violation of international law. Although the Iranian ambassador offered condolences, he stated that the attack stemmed from "military necessity."