An attack on an Iranian container ship carried out with an “unidentified projectile” in the Strait of Hormuz has killed one crewman and injured four others, state-run news agency IRNA reported on Sunday.
The Sunday morning attack is reported to have occurred near Hengam Island on the Iranian side of the strait.
Earlier overnight, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the British authority responsible for maritime security, reported an attack on a vessel in the strait. It was initially unclear whether this was the same incident.
The conflict between the United States and Iran has recently intensified over control of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran continues to obstruct traffic through the strait through threats and attacks on ships.
The US military has also begun to attack Iranian commercial vessels, under President Donald Trump’s “tanker-for-tanker” policy in retaliation for Iranian missile attacks on commercial ships.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital route for oil, liquefied natural gas and fertilizer exports from Gulf countries.
Because of the blockade and rising prices in the US, Trump is facing significant domestic political pressure ahead of the important midterm elections in November.