Accra:London A tanker was struck by an unknown projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, According to UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Thursday.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, the UKMTO received confirmation that a tanker was hit by an unidentified projectile as it passed through the strategic waterway. The agency reported that all crew members are safe and well.

The UKMTO has reclassified the incident as an 'attack' following confirmation of the strike. However, the warning did not provide details about the tanker's identity, flag, ownership, specific location, or the origin of the projectile.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime route, connecting the Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, and is vital for global energy transportation.

The report coincided with statements from Iran's army, which claimed that two oil tankers caught fire after striking naval mines in restricted waters east of the strait. The Iranian broadcaster IRIB reported that the vessels had entered a prohibited area and had turned off their radar systems, According to army.

Earlier, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had reported that an oil tanker struck a naval mine and exploded in an unauthorized route within the strait. These incidents are occurring amid increased maritime tensions following a US-Israeli offensive against Iran on February 28.

Iranian authorities have consistently warned commercial vessels against using routes not designated by Tehran. Despite diplomatic negotiations and a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran in June, navigation and maritime security disputes in the area continue to be unresolved.