STRAIT OF HORMUZ: A ship was struck by an unidentified projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on Tuesday, in an incident that damaged the ship’s engine room and left one crew member injured.
The Strait of Hormuz is currently the central flashpoint in the ongoing military and economic standoff between the United States and Iran, with traffic through the critical energy chokepoint reduced to near-standstill levels.
According to information provided to the UKMTO by the ship’s Company Security Officer, the ship was conducting an outbound transit of the strategically important waterway when it was hit.
20260818 UKMTO WARNING ATTACK 115-26https://t.co/kIIL54QwUP#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/p6tcuufQXA
— UKMTO Operations Centre (@UK_MTO) August 18, 2026
The impact damaged the ship’s engine room and left a crew member with injuries, although the nature and severity of the injuries were not immediately disclosed.
The remaining crew members are currently being assisted by the Omani Coast Guard, according to the UKMTO. There was no immediate indication of an environmental impact from the incident, the maritime security agency said.
READ ALSO: UAE State Oil Company Says Vessel Attacked In Hormuz Strait
The UKMTO did not identify the ship, provide details about the projectile or attribute responsibility for the attack. Further information about the circumstances surrounding the incident was not immediately available.
Iran has not claimed responsibility for the strike.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint connecting the Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the wider Arabian Sea, is one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes.
Any security incident involving commercial ships in the waterway can raise concerns over the safety of international shipping and energy supplies.
