Iranian gunboat fires on container ship in Strait of Hormuz, causing damage but no crew injuries
via Egypt Today1 min read
A container ship was fired upon by a gunboat of Iran鈥檚 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations UKMTO. The incident, which occurred approximately 15 nautical miles off Oman鈥檚 coast, resulted in significant damage to the vessel鈥檚 bridge, though all crew members are safe. The ship鈥檚 master reported that a single IRGC gunboat approached and opened fire without issuing a VHF radio warning. This event is part of a series of recent attacks by IRGC gunboats on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, which aim to increase control over the waterway and pressure for an end to a US blockade on Iranian ports. The attack happened hours after US President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire with Iran to allow for more negotiation time, while stating that the naval blockade would continue until a deal is reached, increasing economic pressure on Tehran.
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Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Alexandria Port Authority and the Montenegro Ports Authority during Montenegro鈥檚 President Jakov Milatovi膰鈥檚 official visit to Egypt. The agreement, signed by Alexandria Port Authority Chairman Vice Admiral Ehab Salah and Montenegro Ports Authority Chairman Stanko Dretic, aims to enhance bilateral cooperation in maritime transport and logistics. Key areas of collaboration include port management and operations, digital transformation, knowledge exchange, capacity building, and environmental sustainability. The MoU also outlines plans to explore new maritime connections between Egyptian and Montenegrin ports to strengthen supply chains and support trade and investment. Officials noted that the strategic locations of Egypt on the Mediterranean and Montenegro on the Adriatic could establish a significant maritime and logistics corridor linking European markets with the Middle East and North Africa. This partnership aligns with Egypt's ongoing efforts to modernize its port infrastructure and position itself as a regional hub for transport, logistics, and transit trade, while also supporting the Alexandria Port Authority's goal to expand international cooperation and improve the global competitiveness of Egyptian ports.
Must ReadPrime Minister Mostafa Madbouly chaired a meeting to outline an implementation plan for President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi鈥檚 directives to develop a national economic program for the period following the completion of Egypt鈥檚 reform program with the International Monetary Fund. The proposed program is expected to set the framework for a new phase of economic development, reflecting Egypt鈥檚 national priorities and long-term objectives. A joint working group comprising representatives from the government, the Central Bank of Egypt, and other relevant authorities is preparing the program to ensure coordination between fiscal, monetary, and broader economic policies. Once finalized, the program will be submitted to President El-Sisi before its official announcement. Cabinet spokesperson Mohamed El-Homsani said the meeting reviewed the program鈥檚 main priorities, targets, and policy framework, emphasizing the importance of close cooperation between the government and the Central Bank. Officials also examined the experiences of countries that previously completed IMF-backed reform programs to help Egypt develop a national framework based on global best practices while considering the structure of the Egyptian economy and the country鈥檚 development priorities. The program will build on the National Structural Reform Program, the National Narrative for Comprehensive Development, and Egypt Vision 2030. Madbouly directed officials to present the program in clear and accessible language for t
Egypt has officially become one of the top 10 favorite travel destinations for Uzbek tourists, with approximately 26,000 Uzbeks visiting the country in the first half of 2026, according to Uzbek statistics. Uzbekistan's Ambassador in Cairo, Mansurbek Kilichev, described this as a remarkable achievement, highlighting the growing closeness between Egypt and Uzbekistan. Uzbek visitors are attracted by Egypt's beach resorts, hospitality, and the deep cultural, historical, and spiritual ties between the two peoples. Kilichev noted that Uzbek tourists appreciate Egyptian hospitality and enjoy visiting historic landmarks such as the Pyramids and Luxor. The increase in tourism reflects the strong friendship and constructive dialogue between the leaderships of both countries, which has facilitated smoother travel. Tourism growth is supported by an extensive air network, including direct and charter flights connecting Tashkent to Cairo, Sharm El-Sheikh, and Hurghada. Kilichev expects the number of Uzbek tourists to rise further by the end of 2026, viewing tourism as a bridge for cultural exchange and new opportunities for trade and economic partnerships. The embassy is committed to supporting travel partners to maintain this positive momentum. The top 10 preferred destinations for Uzbek tourists include Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, China, Egypt, and Vietnam.