An explosion from an unknown projectile was reported near a bulk carrier off the UAE's Sharjah coast late on Saturday, UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said today. It is the latest in a series of attacks on commercial vessels in Mideast Gulf waters since the US-Israeli war against Iran started three weeks ago.
UKMTO said the incident was reported 15 nautical miles north of Sharjah at 23:08 GMT on 21 March. The blast occurred close to the vessel, suggesting it may have been the intended target, although no direct hit was reported. The crew were reported to be safe.
The Sharjah case follows other projectile-related incidents involving commercial vessels this month, including one east of Ras Laffan in Qatar on 19 March, showing that the risk is spreading across waters around the strait of Hormuz.
Traffic through the strait remains heavily disrupted, with only a limited number of vessels passing since the war began on 28 February. Iran's retaliation has also included missile and drone strikes on energy infrastructure across neighbouring Gulf states, adding to security risks for shipowners and charterers.
US president Donald Trump on Saturday night threatened to target Iran's power plants if Tehran does not stop attacking shipping through Hormuz by 23 March, after weeks of shifting US signals over how the waterway should be protected. Trump had initially sought support from countries reliant on Mideast Gulf energy flows to help secure transit through the strait. But after allies in Europe and Asia-Pacific pushed back, he said on 17 March that Washington would reopen it on its own.
Iran, meanwhile, has suggested that passage through Hormuz may remain open for some vessels. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran is willing to discuss transit with Japan and others that have not attacked it.
