A commercial tanker was hit by an unknown projectile near the Strait of Hormuz during the night. The area is known for a secret shipping route coordinated by the U.S., which has been used to guide vessels through this r...
A commercial tanker was hit by an unknown projectile near the Strait of Hormuz during the night. The area is known for a secret shipping route coordinated by the U.S., which has been used to guide vessels through this region amid the ongoing crisis.
On Saturday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued a warning stating that the incident happened about six nautical miles east of Oman, close to the southeastern entrance of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical maritime chokepoints in the world.
According to UKMTO in Advisory 068-26, “It is reported a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile on the port bow.” Fortunately, the crew was safe, there was no environmental damage noted, and the tanker continued on its way to the next port.
This report surfaced just hours after U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that American forces had intercepted several Iranian one-way attack drones aimed at commercial shipping in the area.
CENTCOM stated, “Iran launched multiple one-way attack drones in an attempt to strike commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. forces have downed all of them in recent hours as traffic flow through the strait continues unimpeded.”
CENTCOM also confirmed that the international trade corridor remains open for commercial navigation.
While CENTCOM claimed that all drones had been intercepted, UKMTO reported a tanker had been struck by a projectile near the mouth of the strait. It is unclear if the two incidents are related.
UKMTO mentioned that “military authorities” were the source of the report, but no further details were given.
These reports raise concerns about what hit the tanker and whether it is linked to the drone attacks mentioned by CENTCOM.