Vessel hit by unknown projectile in Strait of Hormuz: UKMTO

London: A tanker was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, causing damage to its bridge but resulting in no casualties, a warning issued by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) detailed.

“UKMTO has received a report of an incident within the Strait of Hormuz. The Master of Tanker has reported being struck by an unidentified projectile. The vessel sustained damage to their bridge; all crew are reported safe. No environmental damage reported at present. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO, authorities are investigating,” the UKMTO noted.

The United States launched airstrikes on Iranian military targets on Friday after Tehran attacked a Singapore-flagged commercial cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, marking Washington’s first direct military response since the two countries agreed to a ceasefire earlier this week.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes targeted Iranian missile and drone storage sites as well as coastal radar installations after Iran hit the M/V Ever Lovely with a one-way attack drone on June 25. The vessel was exiting the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani coast when it was attacked.

“CENTCOM forces conducted strikes against Iran, June 26, as a powerful response to yesterday’s attack on a commercial ship that was transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” the command said in a statement.

It said US aircraft struck “Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites after Iran hit M/V Ever Lovely on June 25 with a one-way attack drone.”

CENTCOM said the attack on the merchant vessel “clearly violated the ceasefire.”

US President Donald Trump on Friday said Iran violated the ceasefire agreement between the two sides by launching at least four one-way attack drones at commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

“One of the drones solidly hit the upper deck of a large and very expensive cargo-carrying ship,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

IANS