Two tankers hit by unknown projectiles in Strait of Hormuz

Unknown projectiles struck two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz overnight, Greek maritime risk firm Marisks said on Tuesday. The attacks followed a fresh flare-up in the US-Iran war and came as Tehran maintains an effective blockade of the strategic waterway.

What happened to the tankers in the Strait of Hormuz?

Two crude oil tankers were struck by unknown projectiles within minutes of each other on August 31, while transiting outbound through the strait, Marisks said. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency had earlier publicized one of the incidents, reporting no casualties or environmental effects. Both vessels were later identified by separate maritime security sources.

Which ships were involved in the Strait of Hormuz attack?

Maritime security company Vanguard Tech identified one vessel as the Liberia-flagged Senegal Prosperity. Vanguard said rockets hit the ship's port side, engine room and ballast tank, causing a loss of communications, though the crew remained safe. Marisks identified the second vessel as the Saudi Arabia-flagged Sidr crude oil tanker.

Why is Iran blockading the Strait of Hormuz?

Tehran has imposed an effective blockade of the strait since the United States and Israel launched their war in late February. Iran says it wants to charge fees for passage through the waterway and has attacked ships it accuses of trying to bypass its preferred route. The United States responded by imposing a rival blockade of Iranian ports.

What does this mean for the wider conflict?

Marisks described the near-simultaneous strikes as a further escalation in the threat environment within the Omani corridor. The strait was free to transit before the war began. Previous attacks on commercial ships there had already triggered the collapse of an April ceasefire between the United States and Iran.