A tanker that was sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman, has been damaged and has lost maneuverability after being hit by a projectile, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported this Saturday.
In its statement, the British agency explained that it received notice of an incident recorded about eleven nautical miles northeast of the Omani town of Lima. According to the notification received, "the vessel has been hit by an unknown projectile that has caused damage to the engine room."
After the impact, the ship has been left adrift and without the ability to steer, so the Coast Guard in the area has been alerted to provide assistance. UKMTO has also emphasized that "no casualties have been reported nor has there been any environmental impact."
The competent authorities have launched an investigation to clarify the circumstances of the incident, while UKMTO has urged vessels passing through the area to "transit the area with caution and report any suspicious activity" to the British agency.
This episode is known a day after Iranian authorities reported an operation against two tankers attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz under the "air escort" of the United States, without following "a defined route" set by Tehran.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the key maritime passages for global transportation of oil, gas, and fertilizers and, in recent years, has become a focal point of increasing security tensions in the area.
Iran has reiterated that vessels must use a route close to its coast, arguing that the corridor set by Tehran is the only one it considers safe. Navigation at this strategic point remains one of the main sources of friction amid tensions between the United States and Iran.