Strait of Hormuz vessel struck by unidentified projectile

An unidentified projectile struck a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on the evening of September 14, 2026. While the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed the incident via a verified source, the agency did not name the specific ship involved and reported no immediate damage or environmental impact.

International media outlets have linked the incident to the St. Helena, an expedition cruise ship flying the flag of Djibouti. The St. Helena has reportedly been stuck in the Persian Gulf for months due to regional conflict. It was allegedly attempting to pass through the strategic waterway undetected when it was struck.

However, the identity of the vessel remains unconfirmed by official maritime authorities. The St. Helena was originally chartered by Terra Nova Expeditions for Antarctic cruises in the 2026/27 season, though the company recently decided to use a different vessel due to the ship's prolonged presence in the Persian Gulf.