Tanker Attacked in Strait of Hormuz

A tanker was attacked on Friday while departing the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a fire and temporary loss of power onboard, according to a British maritime agency.

The vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile while transiting the strategic waterway, the agency said.

The impact caused a small fire and a blackout onboard, but the blaze was later extinguished, and the tanker continued its journey.

No casualties or environmental damage were reported, while authorities launched an investigation into the incident.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a major flashpoint in the ongoing Middle East conflict. Before US and Israeli strikes against Iran in late February triggered the war, the waterway handled about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Iran has since restricted the movement of commercial vessels through the strait and fired on ships it accused of making unauthorised crossings.

The United States subsequently imposed a counterblockade on Iranian ports in an attempt to restrict Tehran’s oil exports.