Missile hits ship leaving Strait of Hormuz, UK Mar…
A commercial vessel sailing out of the Strait of Hormuz was struck by a missile, causing damage to its engine and injuring members of its crew, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Tuesday.
The incident has added to growing concerns over maritime security in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways, where tensions have remained high amid the wider conflict involving Iran and regional powers.
According to UKMTO, the vessel was hit after leaving the Strait of Hormuz. The missile caused damage to the ship’s engine, while members of the crew were also affected in the attack.
Omani coast guard personnel responded to the incident and are providing assistance to the crew, UKMTO said. No further details about the condition of the vessel or the extent of the injuries were immediately available.
The agency did not identify who fired the missile. The circumstances surrounding the attack, including the type of missile used and the exact location of the strike, were also not immediately disclosed.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global shipping route through which a substantial share of the world’s oil supplies passes. Any attack on commercial shipping in or around the waterway can raise concerns about the safety of international trade and energy supplies.
The latest incident comes as tensions remain particularly sensitive around the Gulf. Shipping companies and maritime authorities have been closely monitoring developments, with any disruption in the waterway capable of affecting global markets.
Meanwhile, Iranian officials have strongly rejected what they describe as repeated claims and threats concerning the Strait of Hormuz.
Ibrahim Azizi, chairman of Iran’s parliament’s National Security Commission, criticised US President Donald Trump over his remarks regarding the strategic waterway.
In a statement issued from Tehran, Azizi urged Trump to focus on his own security instead of making what he called baseless and endless claims about the Strait of Hormuz.
Azizi also made a provocative reference to Trump’s personal safety, saying the US president should think about ensuring his own security.
The latest missile strike remains under investigation, and the identity of those responsible has yet to be established. Further information from maritime authorities is expected as officials assess the vessel, crew and circumstances surrounding the attack.
For now, the incident has renewed fears that rising regional tensions could spill over into commercial shipping and threaten vessels using one of the world’s busiest energy corridors.
