A vessel reportedly operating as a 'floating armoury' in the Gulf of Oman has been seized by Iranian forces and is being taken into Iranian waters, reports BBC News.

The Honduras-flagged Hui Chuan was identified by maritime risk firm Vanguard as the ship involved. The UK's Maritime Trade Operations organization stated that the vessel was bound for Iranian territorial waters.

Ship-tracking data showed that Hui Chuan last broadcast its position 70 km north-east of Fujairah in the UAE. Vanguard indicated that the vessel was used to store weapons for private security firms protecting ships against pirates. BBC Verify stated that it could not confirm the cargo or clients.

Floating armoury vessels are typically stationed in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Gulf of Oman to allow security guards to collect and return weapons and ammunition. Location data indicated that Hui Chuan had spent the past month off Oman and the UAE.

The seizure followed an attack on the Indian-flagged Haji Ali off Oman. Vanguard reported that the ship sank after a suspected drone or missile strike. Indian officials stated that all 14 crew members were rescued by the Oman Coast Guard and taken to Diba Port.

The Haji Ali had departed Berbera Port in Somalia on May 6, bound for Sharjah in the UAE, carrying livestock. Vanguard reported that a fire broke out onboard, forcing the crew to abandon ship before it sank. India's Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack as 'unacceptable.'

The situation in the Strait of Hormuz was raised during talks in Beijing between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The White House stated that Xi opposed the militarization of the Strait and both sides agreed it must remain open to ensure free energy flows, reported Reuters.