Tehran/Washington, 21 July (H.S.): Tensions have reached a critical level in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing war between the United States and Iran. Iran has confirmed that two oil tankers caught fire in the region. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it has received multiple reports regarding the incident.

According to the reports, an oil tanker was attacked by an unidentified projectile near the coast of Lima in Oman in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday afternoon. The agency monitors shipping activities in the Persian Gulf, the northern Indian Ocean, and the Red Sea.

According to reports by CNN and Al Jazeera, UK Maritime Trade Operations spoke with the shipping company’s Company Security Officer (CSO) on Tuesday morning. The CSO said, “The crew has abandoned the vessel and they are currently in lifeboats.”

Shortly before this, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that two oil tankers attempting to pass through the unsafe southern route of the Strait of Hormuz caught fire following explosions. The IRGC alleged that the vessels were targeted for failing to comply with regulations.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations said that there have been no reports of any environmental impact so far. Earlier on Sunday, two ships were also targeted by projectiles near the coasts of Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), in a post on X, stated that the US military completed another round of strikes against Iran at 9 pm Eastern Time on Monday night. The military targeted Iran’s military command centres, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defence systems.

CENTCOM claimed that commercial vessels continue to move through the key international maritime corridor. The US military has assisted the movement of nearly 900 commercial ships and the transportation of around 450 million barrels of crude oil since early May.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell wrote on X that nearly 100 American soldiers have been injured in the conflict since July 7. Of these, 96 troops have returned to duty. The war is affecting the entire Middle East (West Asia) region. Following the recent deaths of US soldiers, President Donald Trump has warned Iran of a strong retaliatory response.

Meanwhile, mediators have proposed a 10-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The US is increasing the number of its aircraft deployed in the Middle East. An Israeli source said that several American aerial refuelling aircraft have arrived in Israel.

US officials said that bombing continued for the 10th consecutive night near Iran’s Sirik, Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Chabahar, and Konarak regions.

The IRGC has claimed that it targeted and destroyed several American military assets in Kuwait. According to Tasnim News Agency, the attacks targeted a long-range US military radar site, telecommunications centre, satellite receiving systems, and missile defence radar installations in Kuwait.

The IRGC further claimed that an MQ-9 drone hangar at Ali Al Salem Air Base was attacked, resulting in the destruction of several unmanned aircraft. It also claimed that a US air defence system and radar facility were destroyed in the Muharraq area of Bahrain.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar