UK Maritime Agency Raises Strait Of Hormuz Threat Level To "Severe" After Three Tanker Attacks

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said three tanker attack incidents occurred near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday and raised the maritime threat level for the area to "severe," the second-highest level. According to Jin10, UKMTO said an unnamed liquefied natural gas vessel was struck by an unknown object on the port side of its engine room while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a fire. UKMTO said a very large crude carrier was attacked by an unknown object while departing the strait; the vessel then continued to its destination port, and there were no immediate reports of casualties. UKMTO said a third tanker was attacked near Oman’s Musandam Peninsula, causing minor structural damage. UKMTO said the likelihood of "deliberate hostile action" had increased under current conditions, that navigational disruption remained ongoing, and it urged vessels in the area to maintain a high level of vigilance. The agency said Iran’s Revolutionary Guards continued to conduct radio challenges and route-interference activity, particularly targeting vessels operating with their automatic identification system switched on.