A series of UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) alerts have been issued today reporting multiple suspected projectile attacks on commercial vessels in waters near the Strait of Hormuz and the UAE coast.

One cargo vessel north of Oman was hit, causing a fire and prompting crew evacuation, although a later update said the blaze had been extinguished and a skeleton crew remained onboard.

Separate incidents were reported north-west of Ra’s al Khaimah and about 50 nautical miles north-west of Dubai, where ships were also struck by unknown projectiles.

In all cases, crews were reported safe and authorities said investigations were ongoing, with vessels in the region advised to transit with caution and report suspicious activity.