United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) received a report of an incident 7.5 nautical miles southeast of Dahit, Oman. A vessel was reportedly struck on the starboard side by an unknown projectile.
The above “caused damage to the navigation bridge. The captain has reported no casualties or environmental impacts,” according to the organization sponsored by the British Royal Navy.
The relevant authorities are reportedly investigating the situation. “Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO,” the entity emphasized.
This incident would be the first of its kind reported in the Strait of Hormuz region since the 60-day agreement between the United States and Iran came into effect.
It should be recalled that the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran (IRGC) warned vessels transiting the waterway that passage is only permitted through routes approved by Tehran and coordinated with its naval force.
This warning comes after Oman issued a navigation notice to establish two temporary maritime corridors (north and south of the current traffic separation scheme).
However, the IRGC rejected them, considering them dangerous, insisting that vessels use only the routes designated by Iran.
Previously, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) issued an official notice requiring all vessels to mandatorily register their passage requests through the Strait of Hormuz.
The PGSA emphasized that compliance with the itinerary and route previously designated by Iran is strictly mandatory, due “to the presence of mine-affected areas and the need to ensure safe transit and prevent collisions.”
“Coordination of the designated route and scheduled transit time for each vessel before proceeding towards the strait is mandatory. Non-compliance with this will be the responsibility of the vessel owner,” it emphasized.
It should be noted that the PGSA is an agency of the Iranian government with the mandate to authorize and regulate maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz upon prior contact with the authority.
