A ship hit by an unknown projectile while leaving the Strait of Hormuz has suffered damage to its engine room, with a crew member reported as a casualty, maritime authorities said on Tuesday.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the incident occurred as the vessel was transiting outbound through the strategic waterway off the coast of Oman.
The vessel’s engine room was damaged in the attack, while the Omani coastguard moved to assist the remaining crew members. No environmental impact has been reported. 
The identity of the vessel, the type of projectile used and the group responsible for the attack have not been established.
According to report, investigations are ongoing.
UKMTO advised commercial vessels operating in the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran and a severe disruption to commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Shipping data showed only six commodity vessels crossed the waterway on Monday, compared with a 10-day average of 11. No very large crude carriers or liquefied natural gas tankers were recorded crossing on Monday.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy routes, making the latest attack a fresh concern for global oil supplies and shipping.
The incident involving the ship hit by the unknown projectile also comes after the expiration of a 60-day US-Iran negotiation window without a broader peace agreement, leaving tensions over the strategic waterway unresolved.
