A cargo ship was struck by an "unidentified object" while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, causing damage to the engine room and injuring a crew member, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on Tuesday.
The vessel's security staff notified UKMTO early in the morning, adding that Omani coast guard personnel were assisting the remaining crew aboard.
UKMTO confirmed no environmental impact has been recorded, and authorities are investigating the cause and the parties involved. The agency also advised vessels passing through the strait to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity.
The incident comes amid a severe disruption of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, with daily transits now in single digits, a sharp drop from more than 130 per day before the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Iran has blocked the strait since hostilities erupted on February 28, frequently attacking commercial vessels and declaring it would impose tolls for passage.
Meanwhile, a memorandum between the U.S. and Iran aimed at de-escalating tensions and resuming traffic through the strait expired on Monday. Iran and Oman are still conducting separate negotiations on future navigation agreements through the waterway.
