Footage from the Strait of Hormuz appears to show Iranian fishermen recovering iPhones and other high-value goods from the sea after a container ship sank in one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes.
The unusual scenes emerged after the Singapore-registered container ship GFS Pride sank following an attack while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Videos circulating online show small boats moving among floating containers and debris, with what appear to be boxed iPhones and luxury perfumes being collected from the water.
The Telegraph reports that hundreds of fishermen and salvage boat operators headed into the strait after hearing that valuable cargo had spilled from the vessel, with some people reportedly setting out specifically in search of iPhones and perfume.
The exact contents of the ship’s cargo have not been independently confirmed, and there is no verified evidence that the phones shown in the footage are Apple’s newest iPhone 18 models. Images and video shared from the region should therefore be treated cautiously, particularly as misleading and AI-generated material has also circulated around recent attacks on shipping in the area.
What is confirmed is that GFS Pride was struck while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority says the vessel sustained damage and a fire before sinking, with all 21 crew members safely evacuated and no injuries reported.
The authority said GFS Pride and another Singapore-registered container ship, GFS Giselle, were reportedly struck by unknown projectiles on October 13 and October 14. GFS Giselle suffered hull damage but was able to reach a safe anchorage under its own power.
The incidents come amid a sharp escalation in attacks on commercial shipping around the Strait of Hormuz. Reuters reports that attacks in and around the waterway have intensified in recent days, increasing risks for container ships and other commercial vessels moving through the region.
For Apple, the footage provides a striking reminder of just how far iPhones travel between factories, distribution hubs and customers. The Apple Post recently looked inside the highly coordinated logistics operation that moves millions of iPhones around the world ahead of launches, often long before the devices reach Apple Store shelves.
It is not clear where the iPhones aboard GFS Pride were originally destined, how many were lost, or whether any of the devices recovered from the sea will remain usable after prolonged exposure to salt water.