Vessel struck by unidentified projectile off UAE coast, UKMTO says

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A merchant vessel was hit by a projectile of unknown origin about 17 nautical miles east of the emirate of Dibba in the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said. The ship's captain reported the strike while transiting off eastern Dibba, according to a UKMTO advisory. The projectile damaged the vessel's steering system, but all crew members were reported safe and there was no environmental pollution from the incident, the advisory said. UKMTO added that authorities have opened an investigation. UKMTO also urged vessels transiting the area to exercise caution and to report any suspicious activity to the organization. No further details on the vessel or the source of the projectile were immediately available. Separately, Iranian state television reported on Monday morning that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired missiles at vessels operating illegally off the UAE coast. Other Iranian media outlets reported four explosions near Ras al-Khaimah without providing additional details.