Dubai, United Arab Emirates - A massive tanker, likely to be carrying either liquefied natural gas or crude oil, was attacked on Thursday while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a British maritime agency said.
The vessel was hit by an "unknown projectile" in the strategic waterway, "resulting in a fire," the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center (UKMTO) announced in a statement.
"Crew have been reported safe, damage assessment and environmental impact is unknown at time of report," the statement continued.
"Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO, whilst authorities investigate."
The agency did not specify which flag the tanker was flying, nor did it offer its planned route. It also did not say if it was carrying crude oil or liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil and LNG passed before the US and Israel launched a war of aggression against Iran in late February, is still at the heart of the conflict.
Tehran has been blocking the passage of commercial ships, firing on vessels it accuses of unauthorized crossings.
Washington responded with a counter blockade of Iranian ports in an effort to prevent Tehran from exporting its oil.
The US has not launched strikes on Iranian targets since September 1, even if ships are still regularly targeted in the strait.