Oil tanker hit in Strait of Hormuz after U.S. strikes Iran

An oil tanker sustained damage to its bridge after being struck by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The vessel, identified as the Panama-flagged Kiku, was not carrying any crew members who were injured during the incident.

The strike follows late Friday U.S. airstrikes targeting Iranian missile and drone storage facilities and coastal radar installations in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. military stated that these actions were a response to Iran's earlier strike on a cargo ship off the coast of Oman on Thursday. The vessel, the Ever Lovely, a container ship flying the Singaporean flag and operated by a Taiwanese company, reportedly did not follow an Iran-authorized route.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard initially claimed to have repelled the U.S. strikes. However, early Saturday, the Guard also stated it had launched counterattacks against U.S. military targets in the region. Bahrain reported being targeted by Iranian drones, according to AFP. Iran's Foreign Ministry commented on the strikes, accusing the U.S. of a "blatant violation" of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries.

Iran has not denied striking the Ever Lovely cargo ship. Although no one was injured in that attack, the ship sustained damage and continued its journey. The ongoing exchanges in the Strait of Hormuz highlight the heightened tensions and potential risks to maritime traffic in the critical waterway.