Gas tanker hit by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz

Listen to the article. The audio text is automatically generated by a system.

The British Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on Wednesday that it received a notification about a liquefied natural gas tanker being struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz.

The agency stated in a statement that a reliable source reported the tanker was hit by an unknown projectile on Tuesday, while authorities have begun their investigations to determine the circumstances of the incident and identify the nature and source of the projectile.

The British agency also urged vessels passing through the area to exercise caution while transiting and to report any suspicious activities. No party has claimed responsibility for the incident so far.

This comes after Iranian authorities warned ship owners against allowing their vessels to be forced to sail "through unapproved routes," as the Iranian Strait of Hormuz Management Authority considered that this "could expose ships, their owners, captains, and crews to material and human losses, in addition to imposing restrictions on their future passage through the Strait of Hormuz."

The authority stated that "reports have been received regarding some tenants forcing ships to use unapproved routes... If the tenants are found to be in violation, the concerned companies will be added to the non-compliance list, and restrictions will be imposed on the passage of all their ships through the Strait of Hormuz.",

It is noted that the Strait of Hormuz has become a major focal point in the confrontation between Washington and Tehran, as the freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway has become directly linked to the course of war and negotiations.

It is worth mentioning that the United States insists that Iran should not control the waterways leading to the Strait of Hormuz, including the routes that pass through Omani territory, or impose transit fees on the ships using them. In contrast, Iran demands that ships obtain permission and follow an approved navigation route.