1 killed, 3 injured after Iranian commercial vessel hit near Strait of Hormuz
Tehran: An Iranian commercial vessel was struck early Sunday off Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz, leaving one person dead and three others injured, according to Iranian state media.
Qeshm city governor Amir Teymouri said the vessel was hit at around 5 am local time off the coasts of Hengam and Qeshm islands. He did not specify what caused the strike or identify those responsible.
Several explosions were also reported overnight around Qeshm, the largest island in the Strait of Hormuz.
Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a vessel was hit by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, but provided no further details.
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Iran, Oman agree on new Strait routes amid rising tensions
Iran and Oman have agreed on details of new entry and exit routes for the Strait of Hormuz and will brief Gulf countries on the arrangements at a regional meeting in Muscat on Monday, Iranian officials said, according to Xinhua news agency.
The proposed routes are part of efforts to establish a mechanism for safe passage through the strategic waterway, whose disruption has raised concerns over global shipping, energy supplies and trade.
The development comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States over control of the Strait, a key route for global oil and gas shipments.
Iran has restricted passage through the waterway during its conflict with the US and Israel, requiring vessels to obtain authorisation to transit. Tehran has cited security and sovereignty concerns for the restrictions.
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BRICS calls for restraint
The developments come shortly after BRICS leaders at the New Delhi Summit expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions in West Asia.
In their declaration, the grouping called for maximum restraint and urged countries to avoid actions that could further worsen the situation.
BRICS leaders also called for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure and backed dialogue and diplomacy aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.
The group stressed the importance of maintaining the smooth flow of global trade, supply chains and energy in accordance with international law.