A tanker was struck by an unknown projectile in its port bow off the coast of Oman on Friday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on Saturday. The incident occurred approximately six nautical miles east of Oman, according to the advisory. All crew members are safe, and no environmental impact has been reported. The vessel is continuing its journey to its next port of call while authorities investigate. Maritime authorities have urged ships in the area to exercise caution and report suspicious activity.

This attack comes amid a broader deterioration of maritime security in the region. The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed for 105 days, disrupting 20% of global oil supplies and causing severe price increases, according to analysts in the Gulf. While Tehran insists the waterway is operating normally, shipping traffic has declined sharply, with only a few vessels transiting daily. The incident follows a separate attack on Wednesday in which three crew members of an oil tanker were lost and 21 rescued after a suspected US missile strike off Oman. UK-based maritime security firm Ambrey assessed that the attack likely resulted from US operations related to the blockade of Iranian ports, noting that similar past incidents involved warnings for crews to gather at the bow before a strike on the stern.

Viewed from Washington, the US Central Command has not commented on the latest incident, but previous attacks have been linked to efforts to enforce sanctions on Iran. From London, analysts note that the UKMTO's prompt reporting reflects heightened vigilance, though the lack of attribution for the projectile underscores the complexity of the situation. The cumulative effect of these attacks and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz is reshaping global energy markets, with oil prices already under pressure. As investigations continue, the international community faces the challenge of ensuring freedom of navigation while managing escalating geopolitical tensions in one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints.