Crude oil tanker attacked off Oman coast, UK maritime agency says

A crude oil tanker has come under fire in the Strait of Hormuz, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said late on Friday.

The vessel was struck on its port side by an unknown projectile, UKMTO said, citing the ship’s captain. The crew was reported to be safe.

The incident occurred near the northern tip of Oman, close to the Musandam exclave in the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel was less than 8 kilometres from the coast at the time, according to the agency.

UKMTO said no environmental impact had been reported at the time and authorities were investigating the incident.

Iran and Oman border the Strait of Hormuz, which is only around 35 to 40 kilometres wide at its narrowest point. The strait has become a major flashpoint in the conflict between Iran and the United States.

Ships have repeatedly come under fire in the waterway, which is crucial to global energy trade. Iran has largely disrupted shipping through the strait with attacks on vessels amid the conflict with the US. The US military has also attacked civilian Iranian vessels.