Two cargo ships attacked in vicinity of Strait of Hormuz, maritime monitor reports

(SeaPRwire) –   A bulk carrier was attacked by small craft and a tanker hit by projectiles hours apart, UKMTO says

According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), two cargo ships came under attack near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday.

The strategic waterway, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows, is currently subject to dual restrictions: Iran has imposed access limitations on “hostile vessels”, while U.S. naval forces block ships entering or exiting Iranian ports.

The first warning followed reports from multiple vessels near Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE, indicating they had received radio instructions to leave their anchorage and proceed toward Dubai.

Shortly thereafter, a northbound bulk carrier was targeted by several small crafts approximately 11 nautical miles west of Sirik, Iran. Hours later, a tanker was struck by unidentified projectiles around 78 nautical miles north of Fujairah, UAE.

All crew members were reported safe, and no environmental damage was recorded, as per UKMTO.

On Sunday, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would begin escorting neutral-flag ships through the strait starting Monday. Around 2,000 vessels have been stranded in and around the Strait of Hormuz since the commencement of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran on February 28.

As reported by Axios, the U.S. will provide commercial ships with information about secure shipping lanes unaffected by Iranian mines, while U.S. Navy vessels will remain prepared to prevent Iran from targeting vessels transiting the strait. Iran has cautioned that any such intervention would breach the ceasefire agreement reached nearly a month ago.

Iran asserts its “natural right” to regulate passage through the strait. Deputy Parliament Speaker Ali Nikzad stated on Sunday that Tehran remains firm in its stance, regardless of the results of ongoing peace talks with the United States.