Strait of Hormuz tanker hit, no casualties, UKMTO says

A tanker in the Strait of Hormuz was hit by an unknown projectile near the Omani coastal city of Khasab, causing a fire that was later extinguished, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said early Thursday.

UKMTO said local authorities reported the incident, which was reported to the agency on Tuesday. It said there were no casualties among the crew and no adverse environmental impact.

Authorities are investigating the cause. UKMTO did not identify the vessel's nationality or direction of travel, and did not identify the origin of the projectile.

The incident occurred during an effective Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz that followed US and Israeli attacks on Iran in late February. Tehran wants to charge tolls for passage and has attacked ships it accuses of trying to avoid its preferred route.