A commercial oil tanker was struck by an unknown projectile while traveling southbound through the Strait of Hormuz, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed on Tuesday. The vessel was hit on its port side, which immediately ignited a fire. Authorities reported that the incident occurred east of Limah, Oman, though fortunately, there were no casualties recorded.
While the UKMTO noted no environmental impact, reports from the US outlet Axios, citing a US official, indicated that the vessel was one of two commercial ships targeted by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) during transit. According to that report, both ships sustained significant damage.
This maritime security incident comes despite ongoing ceasefire efforts between the US and Iran aimed at ending the conflict between the two nations. Negotiations have included US attempts to restore pre-war conditions for free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping artery for the energy industry. However, Tehran has rejected these efforts, instead threatening action against vessels that deviate from an authorized corridor along its coastline. Furthermore, Iran has proposed implementing a fee system for ships utilizing the waterway, a move that the United States continues to oppose.
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