A vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an unidentified projectile, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on Sunday.
The condition of the vessel’s crew and the extent of the damage remain unknown. The latest incident has increased concerns over maritime security in the region.
The incident came after Saudi Arabia temporarily suspended operations on the East-West oil pipeline on Saturday following a drone attack. No party has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.
The 1,200-kilometer East-West pipeline, which runs across the Arabian Peninsula, has been a key route for transporting Middle Eastern oil to global markets over the past six months. During this period, the Strait of Hormuz remained largely closed because of the war.
The pipeline transported 4 million to 5 million barrels of oil per day. This volume accounts for 4% to 5% of global supplies and has limited the impact on Saudi Arabia of disruptions affecting other Gulf oil and gas exporters.
The Strait of Hormuz is a major global energy corridor connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Any disruption to shipping through the strait can affect oil flows, tanker traffic and energy prices worldwide.