Strait of Hormuz tanker hit by unknown projectile

A tanker was hit by an unknown projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, sparking a fire, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre said.

UKMTO said the crew were reported safe, but the damage was not yet known. The agency did not identify the vessel's flag, route or cargo.

The Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of the conflict involving Iran and the United States. A fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passed through the waterway before the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran in late February.

Tehran has been blocking commercial ships and firing on vessels it accuses of unauthorised crossings. Washington has responded with a counterblockade of Iranian ports aimed at stopping Iranian oil exports.

The United States has not launched strikes on Iranian targets since September 1, while ships are still regularly targeted in the strait.