A cargo ship was reportedly struck by an unidentified projectile early Tuesday while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, adding to growing tensions in one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center said the vessel reported being “hit by an unknown projectile” at about 2 a.m. local time while sailing roughly 23 miles northeast of Al Khasab, Oman. Officials did not identify the ship, say what flag it was sailing under or disclose what cargo it was carrying.
British maritime security firm Ambrey said the vessel sustained damage but did not provide additional details.
The incident unfolded near the entrance to the Persian Gulf, where the Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of the conflict between the United States and Iran. Before the war began, roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas shipments passed through the narrow waterway.
Commercial traffic has been severely disrupted since Iran began targeting ships after the war erupted in February. The United States has also maintained a blockade of Iranian ports along the waterway.
The reported attack came as diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict continued.
POLL: Do You Approve Of Secretary Of War Pete Hegseth?
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said mediators remain engaged despite competing claims from Washington and Tehran over the status of negotiations.
“We’re looking into a diplomatic solution,” he said during a briefing without elaborating.
President Donald Trump has alternated between warning of major military action against Iran and expressing optimism about negotiations. After previously threatening large-scale strikes before backing away at the urging of Gulf allies, Trump said Monday that talks between the two sides were resuming.
Iran rejected that characterization, insisting it was only holding discussions with Oman about establishing a route through the Strait of Hormuz rather than conducting direct negotiations with Washington.
“Iranian Leadership is unbelievably duplicitous!” the U.S. president vented on Truth Social.
POLL: Should Foreigners Be Banned From Buying American Farmland?
