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A northbound bulk carrier came under attack by multiple small craft 11 nautical miles west of Sirik, Iran, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) authority reported Sunday, issuing a maritime warning as authorities investigate the incident.
UKMTO states that the master of the vessel reported being attacked by multiple small craft.
All crew members were reported safe and no environmental impact was reported following the incident.
UKMTO said the report was sourced directly from the vessel's master. Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the attack. No further details on the identity of the vessel, the nature of the small craft or casualties beyond crew safety status were provided in the warning.
UKMTO advised all vessels in the area to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to the authority while the investigation proceeds.
The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, triggering Iranian retaliation against Israel and U.S. allies in the Gulf, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Since April 13, the U.S. has enforced a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in the strategic waterway. Iran has effectively closed the key shipping lane to commercial traffic, though it occasionally allows ships to pass through, sometimes for a fee.
Numerous attacks on ships have since been reported, as Iran has sought to enforce the blockade, for which it also deploys a so-called "mosquito fleet" of small gunboats.
A two-week ceasefire was announced on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, followed by direct talks in Islamabad on April 11, but no agreement on a lasting truce was reached.
Trump subsequently extended the ceasefire without setting a new deadline, following a request from Pakistan.
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