Three vessels struck by unidentified projectiles in Strait of Hormuz
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre says a crude oil tanker, an LNG tanker and another vessel were hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz. The report comes as the waterway remains a flashpoint in the conflict involving Iran and the United States.
Three vessels were struck by unidentified projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre, a British maritime agency. UKMTO said on Wednesday that a crude oil tanker, a liquefied natural gas tanker and a third vessel had each been hit. The agency did not provide further details about the incidents, including the identity of the vessels or the source of the projectiles.
The Strait of Hormuz is at the centre of the conflict between Iran and the United States. The strategic waterway had carried about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas before the war, according to the source material. Since the conflict began, Tehran has blocked the passage of commercial ships and fired on vessels it accuses of making unauthorised crossings.
The latest report adds to uncertainty for shipping operators using the narrow route. Washington has responded with a counterblockade of Iranian ports aimed at preventing Tehran from exporting its oil. The source material did not state whether the three reported strikes were connected to either side’s military operations or identify who may have been responsible.
The report also did not give information about casualties, damage or the ships’ current status. UKMTO’s statement was limited to confirming that the vessels had been struck by unknown projectiles. The incidents underline the risks facing commercial shipping in a waterway central to global energy trade.
Further details were expected, but none were provided in the report.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.