Unidentified projectile hits tanker in Strait of Hormuz
An oil tanker caught fire after being hit by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman. The incident occurred on Tuesday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said. The fire on board the vessel was extinguished, and all crew members are safe. The circumstances of the incident are being investigated.
CNBC reports. This is another in a series of incidents in the strategically important energy corridor that have led vessels to avoid passing through the strait. Last week, one crew member was killed in an attack on a cargo vessel transiting this route.
Shipping traffic has sharply declined
According to Kpler, only five vessels were confirmed to have passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, compared with seven the previous day. Before the war began, more than 130 vessels passed through the strait every day. All five vessels used the one-way route designated by Iran for shipping, according to the company.
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The United States has sought to help escort vessels on the Omani side of the strait. The U.S. military also supports the maritime blockade of Iranian vessels in the area and escorts oil tankers along the southern Omani route when entering and leaving the Persian Gulf.
Statements from Washington and Tehran
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the waterway in the Strait of Hormuz had been completely cleared of mines and was suitable for navigation. At the same time, Bloomberg reported that U.S. allies doubt whether all Iranian mines in the strait have been cleared.
Iran and Oman agreed on a temporary maritime corridor for safer vessel passage. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said that the strait would not fully reopen until the United States fulfills its commitments under the temporary framework of the peace agreement signed in June, which subsequently ceased to be in force. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also called on the UN and member states to condemn the U.S. sanctions campaign, which he described as economic terrorism.
