As armed clashes between the United States and Iran intensify over control of the Strait of Hormuz, another incident occurred in which an oil tanker was attacked in the strait near Oman.
According to Agence France-Presse and others on the 17th (local time), the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it received a report on the night of the 16th (local time) that an oil tanker had been hit by an unidentified projectile at sea about 19 nautical miles (about 35.2 kilometers) east of the Musandam peninsula in Oman. The tanker, which was under way at the time, suffered minor damage to the port side from the attack. Fortunately, there were no casualties.
The ship is reportedly proceeding to its next port of call.
It is the first time in three days since on the 14th that UKMTO has reported a merchant vessel attack near the Strait of Hormuz. In particular, because a civilian ship faced a direct threat immediately after military tensions peaked in the Strait of Hormuz—a main global oil route—with the United States and Iran firing at each other, analysts say the military conflict surrounding the strait has entered a serious phase.
The United States has continued military operations against Iran for a week since on the 11th. In response, Iran has launched retaliatory airstrikes targeting U.S. military bases across the Middle East.