A vessel transiting the vital Strait of Hormuz was struck by an “unknown projectile,” resulting in damage to its engine room and one crew casualty, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported early Tuesday.

The incident was reported to the British maritime agency by the vessel’s company security officer. The Omani coastguard has been dispatched to assist the remaining crew members.

UKMTO stated that no environmental impact has been reported from the strike. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the incident and identify who or what was responsible for firing the projectile. Vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz have been advised by UKMTO to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity.

The attack occurs amidst ongoing severe disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil transit. Daily vessel crossings have fallen to single digits, a dramatic decrease from over 130 per day prior to the commencement of the war on Iran. Tensions remain high regarding control of this strategic waterway.

Following the outbreak of the war on Iran on February 28, Iran effectively disrupted maritime traffic, frequently targeting commercial ships and asserting its right to charge passage fees. This has led to significant concern among international shipping operators and governments.

A memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, intended to de-escalate hostilities and facilitate the reopening of the strait, expired on Monday. The nature of future navigation arrangements is now subject to separate ongoing discussions between Iran and Oman.

Both the US and Iran had previously accused each other of violating the June agreement aimed at easing tensions in the region, underscoring the fragile diplomatic landscape surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

The incident raises further concerns about the safety of maritime trade in a region already experiencing heightened geopolitical instability and ongoing military conflict.