Tanker attack in Strait of Hormuz tests U.S. safe passage claims

An oil tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported Thursday, marking the latest attack threatening the vital energy corridor and challenging U.S. claims of safe passage. The incident occurred Tuesday off the Omani coast, with the fire extinguished and all crew members safe, according to UKMTO. Traffic through Hormuz has fallen to five confirmed crossings Tuesday, down from over 130 vessels daily before the war, despite U.S. escort efforts. President Donald Trump declared the strait "a functioning strait" after claiming mines were fully cleared, but U.S. allies doubt that assessment. Iran and Oman agreed on a temporary maritime corridor, though Tehran warned full reopening depends on U.S. commitments under a lapsed interim peace deal.