A tanker traveling through the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an unidentified projectile on Tuesday, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency.
UKMTO said the vessel is believed to have suffered structural damage. However, no casualties or environmental impact have been reported so far.
The agency advised ships moving through the strait to transit with caution.
UKMTO Reports Fire After Tanker Strike
Earlier, UKMTO said it had received a report from a tanker sailing south near the coast of Oman.
The vessel was reportedly hit by an unidentified projectile, which caused a fire on board.
Iran has not officially claimed responsibility for the incident. However, anonymous sources quoted by Iranian state television suggested that the attack targeted a tanker carrying natural gas from Qatar.
Axios Reports Iranian Missile Strikes
According to Axios, Iran’s military fired at least two missiles at commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday night.
The report cited two U.S. officials and said the strikes ended a week-long pause in attacks under a U.S.-Iran understanding.
Axios reported that two commercial vessels were hit by Iranian missiles. The ships suffered significant damage, but no casualties were reported.
The report also said the United States is likely to respond with strikes against Iranian targets.
Iran Warns Over Strait of Hormuz Routes
Iran has previously said that vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz must use routes approved by Tehran.
Iranian officials have also warned that any U.S. interference would be met with rapid and decisive action.
The reported attacks came after a one-week agreement between Washington and Tehran to suspend attacks in the waterway expired.
According to Axios, the incidents could put a memorandum of understanding signed less than three weeks ago at risk of collapse.
U.S.-Iran Talks Show Little Progress
Indirect talks between the United States and Iran took place last week in Doha, Qatar.
However, the negotiations ended without major progress on security in the Strait of Hormuz.
The waterway has become one of the central issues in wider peace talks. Other key issues include Iran’s nuclear program and fighting between Israel and Tehran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.
Strait of Hormuz Remains a Global Shipping Flashpoint
Iran has demanded that it retain some control over the Strait of Hormuz.
The strait is one of the world’s most important shipping chokepoints, especially for global energy markets.
The United States has rejected Iran’s demands, increasing tensions around the waterway.
Talks Pause During Khamenei Funeral
Diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran appear to remain on hold during the multi-day funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Khamenei was killed in strikes at the start of the war.
According to the Associated Press, his body was flown overnight to the Shiite seminary city of Qom.
