Tanker disabled by projectile near Strait of Hormuz

A commercial tanker was struck by an unknown projectile off the coast of Oman on Saturday, damaging the vessel's engine room and leaving it unable to maneuver, as tensions between the United States and Iran over control of the strategic waterway continue to escalate.

The Incident

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported that the tanker was hit approximately 11 nautical miles northeast of Lima, on Oman's Musandam Peninsula at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel's company security officer reported that the projectile caused damage to the engine room, leaving the ship "not under command," according to UKMTO.aa+3

No casualties or environmental impact were reported. The regional coast guard has been informed, and UKMTO advised vessels transiting the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity. The agency did not identify the type of projectile, the vessel, or its crew.royanews+4

Escalating Maritime Tensions

The incident comes amid a broader confrontation between the United States and Iran over navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint linking the Gulf with the Gulf of Oman through which a large share of global oil, gas, and fertilizer shipments pass.yahoo+1

Iran has demanded that ships use a route along its coastline through the strait, repeatedly stating that only its designated route is safe. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has previously claimed strikes on tankers following US transit routes.royanews+1

Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped sharply amid the tensions, with ship-tracking firm Kpler reporting a 77 percent decline in vessel transits on Thursday, from 22 ships to five. US Central Command has said it redirected 30 commercial vessels and disabled two ships as part of enforcement measures linked to a blockade of Iranian ports, while rejecting Iran's claim that it had closed the waterway.gulfnews

Wider Regional Impact

The United States has been preparing a new wave of strikes on Iran, though officials have cautioned plans could still be called off. Iran's National Security Council has warned that continued US naval pressure could further restrict movement through the strait and affect global energy markets. Multiple international airlines have suspended or reduced services to Gulf destinations, and the security situation continues to affect commercial shipping across the region.gulfnews