An unknown projectile struck a tanker 11 nautical miles west of Bukha in Oman, which overlooks the Strait of Hormuz, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Wednesday, according to Reuters and Al Arabiya English. UKMTO said a fire that erupted after the strike was extinguished, the tanker was at anchor, and all crew were reported safe. The reports did not name the vessel, and no group or country had claimed responsibility for the strike in the initial reporting; the source of the projectile was not established.

The incident is the latest in a series of attacks on shipping in and around the strait. Ship-tracking firm Kpler counted at least 18 vessel attacks over the past two weeks, Reuters reported on Wednesday, and analysts cited by LSEG said tanker attacks have expanded beyond the Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf of Oman, threatening loadings outside the Arab Gulf and the ship-to-ship transfers that have helped keep Middle East oil moving. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday that naval mines had halted tankers it accused of using unauthorised routes through the strait — a claim reported by Iranian media.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy chokepoints, through which roughly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supply passes — yaani, about one in every five barrels of oil the world uses travels through this narrow waterway. Continued attacks there keep oil markets on edge: Brent crude rose on Wednesday to around $109.64 a barrel amid Middle East supply worries, Reuters reported. The route is also worked by large numbers of Indian and Punjabi seafarers and Gulf-based workers, whose safety and remittances are directly affected when shipping through the Gulf comes under fire. Sources: Reuters (Oct 21, citing UKMTO); Al Arabiya English (Oct 21); Reuters oil markets report (Oct 21, Kpler and LSEG comments).