Cargo ship hit by projectile in Strait of Hormuz

Investing.com -- A cargo ship was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, according to UK Maritime Trade Operations. The vessel sustained damage to its bridge southeast of Dahit, Oman, with no casualties or environmental impact reported.

UKMTO advised ships to transit the area with caution following the incident.

The attack occurred hours after at least three commercial vessels, including two oil supertankers, turned around while attempting to cross the strait outbound. The ships were using a US-protected route along Oman's coastline.

Two maritime intelligence companies published broadcasts that appeared to be from the Iranian navy instructing ships not to cross the waterway. Iranian media reported that Tehran was reasserting control over transits.

Not all vessels turned around, with some continuing along the Oman route, according to vessel tracking data reported by Bloomberg. A fourth ship also appeared to reverse course after sailing toward Hormuz from the Gulf of Oman.

The UN's International Maritime Organization canceled a media briefing on Thursday minutes before it was scheduled to start. The IMO had said on Tuesday it received assurances that passage through the strait was safe.

Traffic through Hormuz increased after an interim peace deal between the US and Iran took effect last week. Iran said over the weekend that the waterway was shut. Tehran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority said last week that ships cannot transit Hormuz without its permission.

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