Iran: LNG tanker targeted in the Strait of Hormuz after ignoring warnings

SadaNews - The Iranian state television announced today, Tuesday, that a liquefied natural gas tanker was attacked while crossing the Strait of Hormuz, after ignoring warnings from Iranian authorities.

The Iranian television did not provide additional details regarding the identity of the tanker, the nature of the attack, or the extent of the damages incurred, nor did it specify the party responsible for the targeting.

This announcement comes hours after reports indicated that a commercial vessel was damaged in the same area. The UK Marine Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that an oil tanker reported being hit by an unspecified projectile on its left side while sailing south off the coast of Oman, causing a fire without any recorded human casualties or environmental pollution.

The agency clarified that the incident occurred eight nautical miles east of the city of Lima, Oman, and urged passing vessels to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity while authorities continue to investigate the circumstances.

On its part, Axios reported that an American official stated that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard fired at least two missiles at commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, causing significant damage to two ships, without resulting in human loss. No official comment has been made by Tehran regarding this account.

These developments occur amid ongoing tensions regarding navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran temporarily closed the passage during the recent war, before resuming ship movement following the framework agreement signed between Washington and Tehran on June 17.

Despite the resumption of navigation, Iran has repeatedly confirmed that it will not return to the previous transit system, indicating new arrangements for navigation and service fees in the strait, which has drawn objections from the United States and the international community, considering the strait a vital international passage.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important maritime passages in the world, linking the Arabian Gulf with the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean, with about 20 million barrels of oil passing through it daily, which is approximately 20% of the global consumption of liquid oil, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.