Tug struck off UAE coast as attacks on Gulf shipping continue
A tugboat was hit by two unidentified objects off Khor Fakkan, in the United Arab Emirates, on Sunday, a British maritime agency said. One person had minor injuries, and the tug kept sailing. It is the latest in a string of attacks on ships in and near the Strait of Hormuz.
A tugboat was struck off the coast of the United Arab Emirates on Sunday local time, the latest in a series of attacks on ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, a British maritime security agency known as UKMTO, said the tug was hit northeast of Khor Fakkan, a port on the UAE's east coast, Rudaw and Reuters reported. Rudaw reported that UKMTO described two "unknown projectiles," while Reuters reported two "unidentified munitions." One person on board had minor injuries, and the vessel was damaged but continued on its way, Rudaw and Reuters reported. UKMTO did not name the tug or say where the projectiles came from, Rudaw reported.
UKMTO's weekly report, released Friday, recorded 12 attacks in the week ending October 16, including 10 in the Strait of Hormuz, Rudaw reported. The agency warned that the real number may be higher because most targeted ships are not reporting incidents, according to Rudaw.
On Friday, a tanker was struck by a projectile of unknown origin 68 nautical miles northeast of Jubail, Saudi Arabia, and its crew was evacuated, AFP reported, citing UKMTO. Maritime security company Vanguard identified it as the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker ST3, AFP reported.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard said Saturday that a supertanker carrying more than 2 million barrels of oil struck a mine in the strait while using a route Iran had not authorized, Euronews reported. That claim could not be independently verified.
US Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper said Friday, "Let me be clear, the Strait of Hormuz is controlled by the United States and our regional partners, not Iran," according to Euronews. Central Command said about 400 merchant ships had passed through the strait over the previous week, Rudaw reported.
Iran has warned ships against using the strait without its permission since war broke out between Iran and the United States and Israel in late February, Rudaw and AFP reported.
What we know: A tug was hit off the UAE's east coast on Sunday, with one minor injury, amid rising attacks on Gulf shipping.
What we don't: Who fired at the tug, which vessel it was and whether more attacks went unreported.
Where outlets agree Rudaw and Reuters report that UKMTO said a tug was struck twice northeast of Khor Fakkan, leaving one person with minor injuries, and that the damaged vessel continued on its way.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.