Reported from the source

Quick summary: The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on Wednesday that three vessels were struck by projectiles off Iran’s coast. One incident in the Strait of Hormuz caused a fire and crew evacuation, while two others occurred near Dubai and off the UAE coast. These events are part of a series of incidents in the region since February 28, following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran.

The UKMTO confirmed that one of the struck ships was hit 11 nautical miles north of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz, leading to a fire onboard and forcing the crew to evacuate. Two additional incidents were reported on Wednesday morning: one vessel was struck by a projectile approximately 50 nautical miles northwest of Dubai, and another sustained damage off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. The UKMTO has urged vessels in the area to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity as authorities investigate. Shipping traffic through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz has nearly halted since U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran commenced on February 28. Iran has reportedly retaliated by targeting ships attempting to pass through the strait, a narrow maritime corridor connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, through which roughly 20% of global oil and gas typically passes. Recent related events include U.S. forces sinking several Iranian ships, including 16 minelayers, near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. Between February 28 and March 11, the UKMTO received 17 reports of incidents affecting vessels in and around the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman, comprising 13 attack reports and four reports of suspicious activity.

Source: www.cnbc.com