A cargo ship has caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz after being hit by a projectile, according to early reports. The incident, occurring 25 nautical miles off the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, is the latest in a series of escalating tensions in the critical waterway for global oil transport. The development underscores growing regional instability amid broader conflict in the Middle East.
President Donald Trump urged captains of tankers on Tuesday to navigate the Strait of Hormuz with confidence, telling Fox News they should “show a little courage.” Trump assured them there was “nothing to be afraid of.”
Minister of Energy Chris Wright indicated on Sunday that traffic through the strait should return to normal within weeks, not months. He noted that one large tanker had successfully transited the dangerous waters without incident.
The incident follows the start of a conflict between Israel and Iran on February 28. Among the most significant developments thus far has been the reported deaths of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his wife, and one of his daughters. Iran’s Assembly of Experts appointed Khamenei’s son, 56-year-classic Mojtaba Khamenei, as the new Supreme Leader on Sunday.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the extent of the damage is being assessed and confirmed that all crew members are safe.
