Tanker Targeted by Unknown Projectile in Strait of Hormuz, British Maritime Authority Reports

DUBAI: A commercial tanker came under attack Thursday while navigating the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center (UKMTO).

The vessel sustained damage from an unidentified projectile, triggering a fire onboard, UKMTO confirmed.

Miraculously, all crew members remained safe following the incident, though the full extent of the damage had not yet been determined, the agency reported.

UKMTO provided no details regarding the tanker’s flag state, planned route, or cargo type, leaving questions about whether it was transporting crude oil or liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The Strait of Hormuz—through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and LNG shipments flowed prior to recent U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran in late February—continues to be a focal point of regional tension.

Iran has increasingly restricted maritime traffic, launching attacks on vessels it alleges violated transit protocols.

In retaliation, the United States imposed a counter-blockade on Iranian ports aimed at curbing Tehran’s oil exports.

While no U.S. military strikes on Iranian targets have occurred since September 1, commercial ships transiting the strait remain frequent targets of disruption.

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