A tanker was hit on Monday by an unidentified projectile off the coast of Oman, in the Strait of Hormuz region, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
“A tanker reported being struck on its port side by an unidentified projectile, resulting in a fire while it was sailing southbound,” UKMTO said in a statement.
The agency added that no crew members were injured and that the incident caused no environmental pollution.
The attack took place 8 nautical miles (14 kilometres) east of Lima in the Sultanate of Oman.
Shipping traffic disrupted by regional conflict
Commercial shipping traffic has fallen sharply because of the war in the Middle East.
The disruption began on 1 March, when Iran effectively closed the strategically important waterway in retaliation for the US-Israeli offensive launched on 28 February. In response, the United States imposed a blockade on Iranian ports in the Gulf.
International shipping resumed after the US and Iranian presidents signed a memorandum of understanding on 17 June ahead of negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent end to the conflict.
However, Tehran continues to insist, despite opposition from Washington, that there will be no return to the pre-war status quo under which passage through the strait was free of charge. Iran has also threatened vessels attempting to bypass the only route it currently permits, which runs along the Iranian coastline.
Recent attacks raise tensions
In late June, two vessels were struck by projectiles of unknown origin.
The US military blamed Tehran for those attacks and launched air strikes against Iran two days later. The Islamic Republic responded with missiles and drones targeting neighbouring Gulf states, particularly Kuwait and Bahrain.
The parties subsequently reached an understanding and suspended hostilities.
Vital route for global oil supplies
The Strait of Hormuz sits on one of the world's most important maritime trade routes, linking Middle Eastern oil-producing countries with global markets, particularly in Asia.
According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), around 20 million barrels of crude oil passed through the strait each day in 2024.
That amounted to nearly 20% of global liquid petroleum consumption.
