Ships come under fire as tensions rise in Strait of Hormuz

Ships have been fired upon in the Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations said a tanker was shot at by vessels linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, while a container ship was hit by an unknown projectile off the coast of Oman. No injuries have been reported.

The incidents came shortly after Iran moved to restrict access to the strait again on Saturday, blaming an ongoing US naval blockade of its ports. The route is one of the world’s most important for oil transport.

The United States says it has turned away more than 20 ships since enforcing the blockade earlier this month. Donald Trump said Washington would not allow Iran to exert pressure over the waterway.

Iran, however, says it is determined to maintain control of the strait during the conflict and has accused the US of breaching ceasefire conditions.

In response to the growing instability, Belgium has said it is preparing a possible naval role. Defence minister Theo Francken said the minehunter Primula will be moved to the Mediterranean Sea so it can be deployed quickly if an international mission is launched to secure the strait and clear mines.

Separately, in southern Lebanon, a French UN peacekeeper has been killed. Emmanuel Macron said the attack bore the hallmarks of Hezbollah, though the group has denied any involvement and called for an investigation.

^{Tankers in the Strait of Hormuz © Giuseppe CACACE / AFP}