Iran fired on cargo ship in Strait of Hormuz, say US officials

Iran fired on a cargo ship that had reported earlier ‌on ⁠Thursday ⁠being hit by a projectile as it attempted to pass through the ⁠Strait of ‌Hormuz, two U.S. officials ⁠told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The ship reported being struck on its starboard ‌side by a projectile 7.5 nautical miles ⁠southeast of Oman's port of Dahit, British navy agency UKMTO said.

The incident follows more than a week of relative calm in the Strait of Hormuz after Tehran and Washington lifted competing blockades as part of a memorandum of understanding to halt the Middle East war.


ALSO READ | Hormuz evacuation suspended after attack in Gulf of Oman: Maritime group

It also comes as Iran and Oman discuss the future administration of the strategic waterway as stated in the deal.

Iran has repeatedly insisted it will retain control over the vital conduit for oil and gas shipments, while imposing fees for transiting it -- something the United States says it staunchly opposes.

Oman had said earlier this week that it was studying levying costs with Iran, but on Thursday its foreign minister said its plans "do not entail the imposition of any transit fees".

It also announced a new temporary route through the Hormuz running close to its coast, with Iran's Revolutionary Guards later insisting "the only authorised route" through the waterway was the one announced by Iran.

On June 12, a vessel was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman, according to UKMTO.

(With inputs from Reuters)