Multiple Merchant Ships Struck by Fire in Gulf Waters
UKMTO says several merchant ships were hit by fire in the Gulf and Gulf of Oman during military activity, with another vessel seen listing near UAE.
Several merchant vessels in the northern Gulf and the Gulf of Oman were struck by disabling fire overnight during military activity in the region, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported on Wednesday.
The British navy-affiliated agency said it could not yet confirm any casualties or environmental impact from the attacks.
In a separate incident on Wednesday, UKMTO reported that a vessel was sighted listing while at anchor, approximately 24 nautical miles from Port Rashid in the United Arab Emirates. The agency noted the listing could indicate the ship had taken on water following an attack by an unknown projectile.
The incidents come amid heightened tensions in the region. On Tuesday, U.S. Central Command forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil tankers after attempted missile attacks on a U.S. Navy warship over the preceding two days.
In response, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday they had attacked two U.S. vessels and eight oil tankers in the Gulf. The Guards claimed the 10 vessels had attempted to cross an area of the Strait of Hormuz that they described as "prohibited and unsafe."