Oil tankers attacked in Hormuz strait
- Critical global oil shipments are under threat after two tankers were hit by projectiles in the strategic Strait of Hormuz
Two oil tankers were struck by unidentified projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane, amid escalating tensions and ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
- Strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz for global energy trade.
- Iran's blockade of commercial ships and US counter-blockade.
- Details of the two tanker attacks, including damage and crew safety.
TEHRAN: Two oil tankers have been struck by “unidentified projectiles” in the Strait of Hormuz region, a British maritime agency said Friday, in the latest threat to shipping in the waterway.
The Hormuz passage, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and LNG passed before the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran in late February and sparked the Middle East war, remains at the heart of the conflict.
Tehran has been blocking the passage of commercial ships, firing on vessels it accuses of unauthorised crossings.
Washington responded with a counter blockade of Iranian ports in an effort to prevent Tehran from exporting its oil.
The first attack caused “a small fire and blackout onboard”, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said Friday, adding that the fire was later extinguished.
There were no reported casualties or environmental impact, it added.
The vessel, which was exiting the strait, was able to resume its journey, UKMTO said, without specifying the ship’s ports of origin and destination.
Hours later, another crude oil tanker reported being struck by an “unknown projectile” east of Oman, with all crew safe and no environmental damage reported, according to the UKMTO.
The agency said authorities were investigating the incidents.
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