Damascus: The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) announced on Saturday that a bulk cargo ship was struck by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday evening, sustaining damage to its hull.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the UKMTO stated that the crew members were unharmed, and no damage assessment reports were available. The environmental impact remains unknown. Shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz fell below the monthly average near the end of the week due to tensions between the United States and Iran, each claiming control over the waterway.

The newly appointed commander of Iran’s Basij paramilitary force stated that the Strait of Hormuz is “under Iran’s control and administration.” Meanwhile, the United States stated on Thursday that it could maintain its naval blockade of Iran indefinitely and that it intends to intensify economic pressure on Tehran as ceasefire negotiations remain stalled.