Three cargo ships were struck by projectiles near Iran’s coast on Wednesday, increasing fears of escalating attacks in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
The incidents were reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which monitors security threats for commercial shipping in the region.
Officials said the attacks occurred in separate locations around the Persian Gulf and nearby waters.
Security alerts for vessels in the region are tracked by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations.
Fire Forces Crew to Evacuate Ship
One of the ships was struck about 11 nautical miles north of Oman inside the Strait of Hormuz.
The impact caused a fire onboard the vessel and forced the crew to abandon the ship, according to the UKMTO report.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the type of projectile used in the attack.
Investigators are still gathering details about the incident.
Two Additional Ships Damaged
Two other cargo vessels were also hit in separate incidents Wednesday morning.
One ship was struck by a projectile roughly 50 nautical miles northwest of Dubai.
Another vessel sustained damage near the coast of the United Arab Emirates.
Officials have not reported casualties so far.
The UKMTO warned all vessels operating in the area to remain cautious and immediately report suspicious activity.
Shipping Traffic Slows in Key Global Oil Route
Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed significantly in recent days as attacks on vessels increase.
The narrow waterway connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and is one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, about 20 percent of global oil and gas supply normally passes through the strait.
Any disruption in this corridor can quickly affect global energy markets.
Military Tensions Continue to Rise
The shipping attacks come as tensions between Iran and Western forces continue to grow.
U.S. Central Command said American forces sank several Iranian vessels on Tuesday near the Strait of Hormuz.
Officials reported that 16 Iranian ships believed to be laying naval mines were destroyed during the operation.
The strikes followed warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said any mines placed in the waterway must be removed immediately.
Spike in Maritime Security Incidents
The UKMTO said it has received 17 reports of incidents involving vessels in the Persian Gulf region since February 28.
Those reports include 13 confirmed attacks and four additional cases of suspicious activity.
Security analysts say the rising number of incidents highlights the growing danger for commercial ships traveling through the area.
For now, shipping companies and naval forces remain on high alert as investigations into the latest attacks continue.