A tanker ship was struck by an unidentified projectile Tuesday while traveling near Omani waters in the Strait of Hormuz, according to maritime authorities, further straining the U.S.-Iran ceasefire and creating uncertainty for commercial shipping.
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The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported the attack took place less than 10 miles east of Limah, Oman, early Tuesday. The unidentified projectile struck the tanker’s port side and sparked a fire.
UKMTO said there were no reported casualties and no environmental impact has been detected.
Iranian authorities have not claimed responsibility for the attack.
However, Tehran has consistently said that commercial ships must travel through Iran-controlled waters in the Strait of Hormuz and work with the Iranian military or face severe consequences.
The apparent attack is the latest flare-up in the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. The strait is supposed to be open to commercial vessels under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed by Iran and the U.S.
Under the terms of the memorandum, the strait is to remain open and toll-free for at least 60 days, while Iran, the U.S. and Oman finalize a governing framework for the waterway.
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The agreement also calls for a ceasefire on all fronts and for the U.S. and Iran to begin technical negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program and sanctions relief.
Shipping has picked up significantly in the strait since the U.S. and Iran signed the memorandum last month, but traffic is still well below pre-war levels. Recent attacks in the waterway are likely to scare off commercial shipping companies.
In late June, a commercial vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile while attempting to travel through the strait via Omani waters. Iran did not claim responsibility for the attack but was quickly blamed by the U.S., which launched strikes on Iranian military targets shortly after.
Iran responded with retaliatory strikes on U.S. military installations in the region.
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