The vessel’s master reported that the tanker, which was sailing out of the strait, had been hit on its port side, triggering a fire onboard, according to the UKMTO, Anadolu Agency reported.
The extent of the damage and any potential environmental impact remain unclear. Authorities are investigating the incident and have advised vessels to navigate the area with caution.
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The incident came hours after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said an oil supertanker had struck a naval mine and exploded while attempting to leave the Strait of Hormuz via what it described as an unauthorized southern route.
According to the IRGC, the vessel could carry around 2 million barrels of oil and had switched off its navigation systems before attempting to cross the strategic waterway. The force said the tanker hit a mine, causing an explosion visible from coastal areas.
Iran said on July 12 that it had again closed the strait following the resumption of US attacks on Iranian targets on July 8. Tehran has also threatened to target vessels using routes not designated by Iranian authorities or attempting to transit the waterway without permission.
The latest incident comes amid a wider conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. The US and Israel launched military operations against Iran on Feb. 28, with Tehran reporting more than 3,000 deaths. Iran retaliated with attacks that killed Americans and Israelis before a ceasefire was reached in April.
The United States subsequently carried out further strikes on Iranian sites as negotiations between Washington and Tehran stalled, despite the signing of a framework agreement in June.
Talks have remained deadlocked over disagreements concerning navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy and commodity shipments.
