Iranian Ship Hit Near Strait of Hormuz, One Crew Member Passes Away

<p>An Iranian commercial ship was struck by an unidentified projectile near Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz early Sunday, September 13, leaving one crew member deceased and four others injured, Iranian state media reported.</p>
<p>Qeshm Governor Hossein Amir-Teymouri told state-run IRNA that the vessel was carrying 10 crew members at the time it was hit near Hengam Island. He attributed the attack to a "terrorist enemy," though authorities have not identified the projectile or established its point of origin. The crew member who lost their life was identified as Jamshid Rajabi. An investigation is under way.</p>
<p>Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a ship had been struck by an unidentified projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The agency later reported a fire on board and said local authorities were helping evacuate the crew. UKMTO did not identify the vessel, and no official confirmation was issued linking its report to the Iranian ship.</p>
<p>The incident unfolded just ahead of a regional meeting scheduled for Monday, September 14, in Muscat, where Iran is expected to brief participating countries on a new maritime route agreed with Oman. Iranian officials said Tehran and Muscat had finalised new entry and exit routes through the Strait of Hormuz following technical and diplomatic consultations. The semi-official Tasnim news agency, citing a source close to Iran's negotiating team, reported that a final agreement was reached in late August.</p>
<p>Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed, however, that the agreement with Oman did not amount to a reopening of the waterway. He said the new route would be the central focus of Monday's meeting, where Iran would present maps of the planned corridor and brief regional partners on the arrangement.</p>
<p>Araghchi added that Iran would reopen the strait only if the United States returned to its commitments under the Islamabad memorandum. He also said Tehran believed regional countries should bear responsibility for their own security and stability, expressing hope that the Muscat meeting would lead to broader regional consultations.</p>
<p>The strait is one of the world's most strategically significant waterways, carrying a large share of international energy shipments. Any prolonged disruption to traffic through the passage could affect global oil and gas markets and add further pressure to already vulnerable shipping routes across the region.</p>