Oil tanker ‘on fire’ after projectile strike near Dubai | World | News

United Kingdom Merchant Marine Operations (UKMTO) received a report of an incident off the coast of Dubai.

The Company Security Officer reported that on Monday, March 30, an unknown shell hit the starboard side of the tanker, causing a fire on board. Authorities are investigating the incident.

It is not yet clear who carried out the attack.

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The ships have been targeted near the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict in the Middle East began a month ago, when joint US-Israeli forces struck several key sites in Iran.

Iran retaliated by targeting areas in the region and blocking tankers from passing through the strait.

Approximately one fifth of the oil traded worldwide passes through the strait.

The UKMTO said the crew were safe and no environmental impacts were reported.

This comes after the Iranian Parliament’s Security Committee approved a plan to impose a toll on the Strait of Hormuz, just hours after Donald Trump posed a new threat to the country.

On Monday, a member of the Homeland Security Commission announced the plan had been approved. Other provisions include “safety of naval vessels”, environmental issues and a ban on passage of US and Israeli ships.

The plan also includes the implementation of a toll system and Iran’s dominant role in the region.