An oil tanker was struck in the Strait of Hormuz by an “unknown projectile,” the UK Maritime Trade Operations (Ukmto) said early Tuesday.
The vessel was hit “on the port side causing a fire, whilst traveling southbound,” Ukmto said. The incident occurred east of Limah, Oman.
The tanker came under attack after ignoring warnings, Iran’s state television reported without directly claiming the assault.
US outlet Axios, citing a US official, reported that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) carried out strikes at two commercial ships transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.
No casualties or environmental impact were recorded, but the two ships suffered significant damage, the Axios report said.
The incident took place despite a ceasefire between the US and Iran and the negotiations over reaching an agreement to end the war between the two countries.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most significant maritime shipping routes and crucial for global energy markets.
As part of the negotiations between the two countries, US tried to bring Iran into returning to the pre-war situation allowing ships to pass through the Strait freely, which Tehran rejected.
Iran has instead threatened to take action against ships that use routes outside an authorized corridor along its coastline. Iran has also stated it wants to set up a fee system for vessels to use the Strait, which the US opposes.
