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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.

DAMASCUS: Tensions in the region rose again after an Israeli drone strike near the Syrian capital Damascus injured several people, prompting Kuwait to strongly condemn the attack and call for international action to prevent further Israeli operations on Syrian territory. The strike reportedly targeted a civilian vehicle near a village southwest of Damascus. Several people were injured in the attack, according to reports, although the full extent of the casualties was not immediately clear. Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry condemned what it described as repeated Israeli aggression against Syrian territory and urged the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to fulfil its responsibilities and work to stop further attacks. In a statement, the ministry said the targeting of a civilian vehicle had resulted in injuries among civilians. Kuwait called for an effective international response to what it described as continuing violations of Syria’s sovereignty. The incident is particularly significant because it marks the second Israeli attack in Syria within a week, raising concerns that the cycle of strikes could further aggravate tensions in an already volatile region. Israel, however, defended the latest operation. Israeli officials said the strike targeted what they described as “terrorists” and was carried out in response to an immediate threat faced by Israeli troops. The competing accounts highlight the broader security dispute surrounding Israel’s military operations in Syria. Israel has repeatedly said that its forces act to prevent threats from armed groups and to protect Israeli personnel and territory. Syrian and Arab officials, meanwhile, have frequently condemned such operations as violations of Syrian sovereignty. The latest strike comes at a time when the wider Middle East remains under intense pressure from overlapping conflicts and security crises. Any further escalation inside Syria could complicate efforts to maintain regional stability and increase diplomatic pressure on neighbouring countries. Kuwait’s appeal to the UN Security Council reflects growing calls from Arab states for greater international scrutiny of military operations on Syrian soil. The Kuwaiti ministry urged global powers to take concrete steps rather than allowing repeated attacks to continue unchecked. For residents near Damascus, the latest incident adds to concerns over the possibility of renewed violence. Although the immediate strike caused injuries rather than a large-scale loss of life, the frequency of military operations has raised fears that a wider confrontation could develop. With Israel maintaining that its actions are necessary for security and Arab governments calling for an end to attacks, Syria remains caught at the centre of a tense regional confrontation. The latest strike could therefore become another flashpoint in an increasingly fragile security environment.