The Strait of Hormuz was declared open for maritime traffic after last month’s signing of an MoU between the US and Iran.
Commercial vessels move through the Strait of Hormuz as the US military carries out strikes on Iranian missile launch sites and mine-laying boats. Photo: X/@CENTCOM
Three oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz have come under attack allegedly from the Iranian military in the past 24 hours, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
The UK-based maritime trade agency said that the third tanker was struck by an unknown UAV at 1305 (UTC) on July 7.
Advertisement
The vessel sustained structural damage but no casualties or environmental impact were reported.
Advertisement
“UKMTO has received a report of a further incident involving a tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker was struck by an unknown uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) and has sustained minor structural damage. No casualties or environmental impact were reported, and the vessel is continuing to its next port of call,” the UKMTO said in a post on X.
Earlier, another tanker had reportedly caught fire after being hit by a projectile while travelling off the Oman coast.
Calling the attacks “unacceptable” and a “serious and explicit violation” of international law, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said that Qatar holds Iran “fully legally responsible” for the attacks.
Another tanker that was hit in the past 24 hours had also sustained structural damage although no injuries were reported.
While Iran has not publicly claimed responsibility for the attacks on the vessels, Iranian state media reported that a liquefied natural gas tanker came under attack after “ignoring repeated warnings”.
The Strait of Hormuz was declared open for maritime traffic after last month’s signing of an MoU between the US and Iran.
Under the 14-point MoU, both countries agreed to halt fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon, and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Iran has still maintained full control over the chokepoint waterway, declaring that ships must coordinate with the Iranian military for safe passage through the Strait.
Tehran has also announced that vessels will only be allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz through approved routes.
Advertisement
