On October 14, 2026, the Singapore-flagged container ship GFS Pride, carrying over 2,500 containers, sank in the Strait of Hormuz. The very next day, hundreds of Iranian fishermen took to the sea to collect cargo that had surfaced from the water — ranging from smartphones and perfumes to industrial goods. Social media footage emerged showing dozens of small boats moving between partially submerged containers as fishermen hauled boxes out of the water; one video captures a boat towing an entire container.
The "Hunt" for iPhones and French Perfume
According to eyewitness reports, boxes containing smartphones were found on one of the boats; a source indicated that these were Apple's newest iPhone 18 models. In addition to electronics, fishermen collected French perfumes and other floating goods. Iranian forces, in turn, warned local fishermen to exercise caution when handling the containers, noting they could collide with boats or unexpectedly sink beneath the water.
Two Versions of the Sinking Cause
The parties describe the causes of the accident differently. Singaporean authorities stated that a fire broke out on the ship prior to the sinking and confirmed that all 21 crew members were safely evacuated with no injuries reported. The Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran reported that the vessel entered an "unauthorized and dangerous" shipping channel, after which it struck a mine, caught fire, and sank. Thus, both sides confirm the fire and the loss of the vessel, but disagree on the root cause of the incident.
Second Sinking Within 24 Hours
The GFS Pride became the second sunken ship in the past 24 hours and the third registered incident since the regional conflict began in late February 2026. Recently, there has been a sharp increase in attacks on maritime activity in the Strait of Hormuz, threatening commercial shipping and global supply chains. The strait remains one of the world's most critical routes for energy transportation, and every such incident increases pressure on global markets.
Geopolitical Background: The Strait as a Bargaining Chip
Amid the series of incidents, Iran stated on October 16 that the Strait of Hormuz would only be reopened on the condition that US troops are withdrawn from the region. Concurrently, statements emerged from the US regarding the imposition of a blockade and the intention to declare the strait United States territory. The opposing positions of the parties make the status of the strait one of the key elements of the ongoing confrontation.
