Agencies | Tehran:
An unidentified projectile struck a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, triggering an engine-room fire that crews battled to contain, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.
The incident adds to growing security concerns around one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes, through which a significant share of global oil and gas shipments passes.
UKMTO did not immediately provide further details on the vessel, the projectile’s source, or whether there were any casualties. The circumstances surrounding the incident were also not immediately clear.
Separately, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said negotiations with Washington were “meaningless”, citing US attacks that he said had taken place while discussions were underway.
Pezeshkian’s remarks signal continued tensions between Tehran and Washington amid heightened regional instability and growing concerns over the security of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The waterway, located between Iran and Oman, connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea and is a critical route for international energy supplies.
The latest tanker incident and Pezeshkian’s comments come against the backdrop of broader military tensions in the region, raising fresh concerns over maritime security and the potential impact on global energy markets.
