Oil tanker struck by unidentified projectile in Strait of Hormuz

An oil tanker identified as the NV Sunshine, owned by NatWit, was struck by an unidentified projectile on October 9, 2026, while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The incident resulted in a fire on the vessel's left side. While the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the ship's crew is safe and the fire was extinguished, the extent of the structural damage and any potential environmental impact remain under investigation.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the strike, stating that the vessel was using an illegal route south of the Strait. The IRGC asserted that they have taken control of the passage as part of ongoing regional hostilities. This conflict has intensified since the February 28 escalation between the United States, Israel, and Iran, which led to a de facto closure of the Strait and a series of reciprocal naval attacks. Authorities continue to investigate the specific origin and nature of the projectile, while the UKMTO has issued a heightened security warning for all commercial vessels operating in the region.