A tanker caught fire early Tuesday after being struck by a projectile near the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman, according to the British military, marking the latest attack on commercial shipping in the strategically important waterway.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions over Iran’s attempts to control shipping routes through the strait and stalled diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran. The United States is seeking negotiations with Iran over reopening the waterway, Tehran’s nuclear programme and a permanent end to the war that began on February 28.

Tanker Struck Near Oman While Leaving Strait Of Hormuz

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said the tanker was attacked near Limah in Oman while travelling south from the Strait of Hormuz towards the Gulf of Oman.

According to the maritime security agency, a projectile struck the port side of the vessel and caused a fire.

No environmental impact was reported following the incident, while authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Suspicion immediately fell on Iran, which has previously been accused of targeting ships using routes close to Oman’s coast after warning vessels that only routes approved by Tehran were safe.

Iran Warned Tankers To Follow Approved Shipping Routes

Iran’s joint military command last Thursday warned oil tankers travelling through the Strait of Hormuz that they must follow routes approved by Tehran.

“Any failure to comply, deviation from the designated route, or disregard for the navigation protocols of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Strait of Hormuz will be met with an immediate and forceful response from the armed forces, endangering the security of the violating vessels,” the statement said.

Iran also warned against intervention by American forces in the strategic waterway, saying any interference “will be met with a rapid and decisive reaction.”

Tehran and Washington had earlier reached an interim agreement allowing vessels to travel through the strait without paying charges for 60 days.

Iran, however, insisted that it should control shipping routes through the waterway and later impose passage fees, departing from decades of established practice.

The United States and several Gulf Arab countries have opposed Iran’s attempts to charge vessels for travelling through the Strait of Hormuz.

More Than 100 Ships Crossed Strait Over Weekend

Previous efforts by Oman and a United Nations agency to establish a new shipping route near the Omani coast had triggered attacks across the Middle East.

Data firm Kpler said at least 108 vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend using different routes.

Earlier attacks on commercial vessels in the waterway had prompted retaliatory strikes by the United States, followed by Iranian attacks on Gulf Arab countries, raising concerns about further escalation in the region.

The latest attack comes as negotiations between Washington and Tehran appear to remain on hold until after the burial of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Khamenei Funeral Ceremonies Continue In Qom

Khamenei, who was killed at the beginning of the war, was flown overnight to the Shiite seminary city of Qom, where large crowds gathered on Tuesday to participate in funeral ceremonies.

Iranian state television broadcast live images from helicopters showing hundreds of thousands of mourners walking towards Jamkaran Mosque, located south of Qom, for the funeral service.

Mourners carried posters and banners featuring images of Khamenei and his son, Iran’s new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly during the funeral ceremonies, which are taking place over several days. He is believed to be in hiding after reportedly being wounded in the airstrike that killed his father.

Before an April ceasefire, Israel targeted senior Iranian leaders during the war and, in at least one instance, reportedly used a public appearance to determine the location of a senior official. Israel has also threatened to kill the younger Khamenei.

Khamenei To Be Buried In Mashhad On Thursday

Streets, airspace and daily activities across Iran have been disrupted during the mourning period, which began on Saturday and is scheduled to continue until Thursday.

Khamenei, who was 86, is expected to be buried at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, his birthplace.

The tanker attack, Iran’s dispute with the United States and Gulf Arab states over shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, and Khamenei’s funeral ceremonies have kept regional tensions elevated as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran remain paused.

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