Tanker sustains minor structural damage from unknown projectile near United Arab Emirates

WASHINGTON

The UK Office of Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said Tuesday that it received a report of an incident 23 nautical miles east of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"A tanker has reported being struck by an unknown projectile whilst at anchor," the agency said in an advisory.

It reported minor structural damage.

"No injuries to crew. No environmental impact reported," it said, adding investigation is underway.

The incident came as tensions in the Middle East have escalated since the US and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.