ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A tugboat was struck by two unidentified projectiles off the coast of the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, leaving one person with minor injuries, a British maritime security agency reported, amid a surge in attacks on commercial shipping that it says are increasingly going unreported.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the southbound vessel was attacked northeast of Khor Fakkan, a port city on the UAE's eastern coast overlooking the Gulf of Oman.
"A tug travelling southbound has reported being struck by 2 unknown projectiles," UKMTO said in a warning, adding that the vessel sustained damage but was able to continue its journey.
The agency reported one minor casualty but did not identify the vessel or provide details about the origin of the projectiles.
Authorities are investigating the incident, while UKMTO has advised vessels operating in the area to exercise caution and report suspicious activity.
The latest incident comes amid a sharp escalation in attacks on commercial vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to international shipping routes.
The attacks have intensified as Iran and the United States compete for control of the strategic passage following the outbreak of war between Tehran and Washington and its ally Israel in late February.
Several vessels have been struck by missiles, drones and other projectiles in recent weeks, with some attacks causing fires, casualties and significant damage.
In its weekly maritime security report published on Friday, UKMTO warned that the actual number of attacks could be significantly higher than official figures suggest, saying most vessels targeted were refusing to report incidents to the agency.
According to the report, 12 attacks were recorded in the week ending October 16, including 10 in the Strait of Hormuz, one in the Persian Gulf and another in the Gulf of Oman.
Of the 12 vessels targeted, six continued their journeys or reached port, one was lost, two were disabled or unable to navigate, while the extent of damage or outcome remained unconfirmed for three others.
Iran has repeatedly warned vessels against passing through the Strait of Hormuz without its authorization, while US forces have continued facilitating commercial shipping through the waterway despite Tehran's threats.
On Friday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said around 400 merchant ships had transited the strait over the previous week, with US forces helping regional partners transport more than 100 million barrels of crude oil.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy corridors, making disruptions to shipping there a major concern for global oil markets and international trade.
