Tehran: In a worrying development in the US-Iran conflict, a third commercial tanker was struck in the Strait of Hormuz within 24 hours.
According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the British naval agency that monitors shipping in the region, a tanker was hit by an unidentified projectile in the latest strike.
UKMTO said in a post on X that the vessel had suffered structural damage.
No casualty or injury was reported, nor was there any immediate indication of pollution or oil spill.
However, the attack raised concerns that commercial vessels passing thro
ugh the narrow but crucial waterway are once again becoming targets on a regular basis.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the latest attack.
UKMTO said investigations are continuing and urged ships sailing through the Strait of Hormuz to remain alert. The agency advised vessels to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity.
Earlier on Tuesday, two attacks were reported — a strike on a Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier and damage to a Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker.
Qatar accused Iran of attacking its LNG carrier Al Rekayyat, which was sailing through Strait of Hormuz overnight, reported Reuters.
The tanker was reportedly struck by a drone that set off a fire in the engine room. The crew escaped safely and evacuation operations were carried out, but maritime security officials warned that the blaze posed a serious explosion risk because the ship was carrying liquefied natural gas.
“Mayday mayday mayday. This is vessel Al Rekayyat, LNG vessel Al Rekayyat. We are being hit by drone on port side, top of engine room,” the captain said in a radio transmission reviewed by Reuters.
“Status: engine room fire and full of smoke. Unable to assess further damage.”