Tanker hit by projectile in Strait of Hormuz amid maritime escalation

A commercial tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, 29 October, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed. The incident occurred at approximately 20:00 UAE time near Khasab, Oman, as the vessel was completing an outbound transit of the strategic waterway. Preliminary reports indicate no crew injuries or environmental damage following the impact. The UKMTO, which monitors maritime security in the region, has not identified the type of weapon used or attributed responsibility for the strike. The agency has advised all vessels operating in the area to exercise extreme caution and report any suspicious activity immediately. Conflicting reports of maritime explosions Following the projectile strike, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy claimed that three separate oil tankers caught fire after striking naval mines. According to Iranian state media, these vessels were attempting to leave the Strait via an \"unauthorised southern route\" with their radar and navigation systems disabled. However, these claims have not been independently verified by international maritime agencies or the Associated Press. Separately, a master of a nearby vessel reported sighting a ship on fire approximately nine nautical miles north of Khasab. While social media footage allegedly showing two burning commercial ships has circulated, maritime authorities have not yet authenticated these videos or confirmed…