Ship hit by projectile off Oman amid Hormuz tensions

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported on Tuesday that a cargo vessel had been struck by an unidentified projectile while transiting waters approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman. The agency stated the ship broadcast an alert on VHF Channel 16 to announce it had been hit, prompting authorities to launch an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack. UKMTO officials advised all vessels operating in the vicinity to maintain heightened vigilance and report any suspicious activity without delay.

Hormuz tensions flare

The incident occurs against a backdrop of intensifying friction between Washington and Tehran over control of the Strait of Hormuz — a vital chokepoint for global energy shipments. US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he had canceled a planned military strike against Iranian targets following regional mediation efforts, though Iranian officials swiftly rejected this account and denied that any agreement had been reached to reopen the strategic waterway. Washington continues to demand that Tehran guarantee freedom of navigation through the passage, while Iranian authorities maintain that maritime traffic in coastal waters should fall under their direct oversight.

No organization has immediately claimed responsibility for the projectile strike, and maritime security teams continue to monitor the area for further threats. The attack marks the latest in a series of security incidents affecting commercial shipping lanes near the Arabian Peninsula.