ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A crude oil tanker attacked struck by an unidentified projectile off the coast of Oman on Thursday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said, hours after another tanker was hit while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest incident occurred four nautical miles east of Oman, with the projectile striking the port side of the crude oil tanker, according to UKMTO.
All crew members were reported safe and there was no reported environmental impact, the agency said, adding that authorities were investigating the incident.
Earlier on Thursday, another tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile while conducting an outbound transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
The strike caused “a small fire and blackout onboard,” but the blaze was later extinguished and the tanker was able to continue its journey. No casualties or environmental impact were reported.
The two incidents came amid heightened risks to commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz, where maritime traffic has been severely disrupted by the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
In its weekly Voluntary Reporting Area overview published Thursday, UKMTO said commercial vessels continue to be targeted on the southern route and that ongoing military activity is sustaining an increased risk to maritime operations.
Since July 6, 31 of 48 projectile strikes reported to UKMTO have occurred along the southern Omani route, while 25 incidents involved damage to engine rooms, highlighting risks to vessels' propulsion and maneuverability systems.
UKMTO said vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains around 75 percent below levels recorded before the conflict, with tankers continuing to account for most observed movements.
The agency recorded 124 outbound and 123 inbound transits during the seven days ending October 2, based on a combination of Automatic Identification System (AIS) data and separately sourced US-facilitated transit figures. UKMTO cautioned that the US figures could not be independently verified.
Iran has severely restricted commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz since the war began in late February, seeking greater control over vessels using the strategic waterway. Tehran has tied the restoration of normal maritime passage to several conditions, including an end to a US naval blockade of Iranian ports. Washington resumed the blockade in July, targeting vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports, a measure that has effectively choked off Iran's oil exports, according to US officials. Iran has proposed reopening the strait in exchange for the blockade being lifted, but the two sides have yet to reach an agreement.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces had redirected 125 commercial vessels as of September 30 to enforce the blockade on maritime traffic entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas.
