3 tankers were hit by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz

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British Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on Wednesday that it had received a report that an oil tanker and two ships had been hit by an unknown projectile inside the Strait of Hormuz.

The authority also explained in a statement that a reliable source reported that the tankers were hit by an unknown projectile yesterday, Tuesday, while the authorities began investigations to determine the circumstances of the incident and determine the nature of the projectile and its source.

The British Authority called on ships passing through the area to be careful during transit, and to report any suspicious activities. While no party has yet claimed responsibility for the incident.

This came days after the Iranian authorities warned shipowners against allowing their ships to be forced to sail “through unapproved routes,” as the Iranian Strait of Hormuz Management Authority considered that this “may expose the ships, their owners, captains, and crew to material and human losses, in addition to imposing restrictions on their crossing the Strait of Hormuz in the future.”

The authority said, “Reports have been received about some charterers forcing ships to use unapproved routes... If the charterers’ violation is proven, the companies concerned will be added to the non-compliance list, and restrictions will be imposed on all their ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz.”

Note that the Strait of Hormuz has become a major axis in the confrontation between Washington and Tehran, after freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway became directly linked to the course of the war and negotiations.

It is noteworthy that the United States insists that Iran should not control the waterways leading to the Strait of Hormuz, including the lanes that pass through Omani territory, or impose transit fees on the ships that use them. In return, Iran requires ships to obtain permission and follow a navigation route it agrees to.