Strait of Hormuz attack: Cargo vessel struck by projectile near UN-approved corridor

Dubai: A commercial cargo vessel navigating a United Nations-sanctioned route through the Strait of Hormuz was struck by a projectile on Thursday, the British military announced, as multiple commercial tankers departed the channel utilising the same corridor.

Iran has previously issued threats against merchant ships travelling along this specific path, which extends past the Omani coastline and was established by a U.N. maritime agency.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre disclosed the assault, noting that the incident resulted in no injuries or environmental degradation.

The introduction of this alternate maritime corridor through the critical chokepoint is intended to alleviate strain on the global economy and diminish Tehran's primary diplomatic leverage in active peace negotiations with the United States. During a visit to the Persian Gulf region to reassure regional partners, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed that Washington remains dedicated to maintaining the new route.

Although commercial maritime traffic through the strait has expanded, overall volumes remain significantly below levels recorded prior to the outbreak of hostilities. On Thursday, crude oil prices briefly dropped below the pre-war benchmark of just under $73 per barrel, indicating that financial markets anticipate stabilising conditions.

Negotiators from both nations continue to deliberate over the specific components of a provisional peace treaty, ranging from ensuring safe transit through the narrow entrance of the Persian Gulf to determining the ultimate status of Iran's highly enriched uranium inventory.

According to a memorandum of understanding finalised last week, the United States and Iran have a 60-day window to formalise the technical parameters. While formal discussions occur in private sessions, U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian officials have frequently engaged in public posturing, exchanging warnings and asserting diplomatic concessions that the opposing side refutes.

Concurrently, a resurgence of military engagements in Lebanon between Israeli forces and Iran-supported Hezbollah militants has jeopardised the broader regional cease-fire. Lebanese authorities stated that Israeli bombardments have killed five people over the last 48 hours.

While an increasing number of vessels are utilising the strait, the current transit numbers remain well below pre-war figures.

With inputs from AP