A tanker sailing through the Strait of Hormuz caught fire early Tuesday after being struck by a projectile off the coast of Oman, according to the British military, marking the latest security incident in one of the world’s most strategically important shipping lanes.

The vessel was navigating the narrow entrance to the Persian Gulf, a vital maritime corridor that, in peacetime, carries roughly one-fifth of global oil and natural gas supplies.

While Iranian state television reported that the liquefied natural gas tanker was targeted after allegedly ignoring official warnings, it stopped short of claiming responsibility for the attack.

Iran has repeatedly insisted that commercial vessels should use only routes approved by Tehran when transiting the Strait of Hormuz and has previously warned that ships using alternative passages near Oman’s coastline could face consequences.

The latest incident comes as the United States continues to pursue negotiations with Iran aimed at fully reopening the strategic waterway, curbing Tehran’s disputed nuclear program and securing a lasting peace agreement following the conflict that began on Feb. 28.

Diplomatic efforts, however, remain fragile.

Previous attacks on commercial vessels in the strait have prompted U.S. military responses, which in turn triggered retaliatory actions by Iran against Gulf Arab states, raising concerns about the potential for broader regional escalation.

Negotiations between Washington and Tehran also appear to have been temporarily delayed following the death of Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the early stages of the conflict.

His funeral ceremonies continued on Tuesday after authorities transported his body overnight to the Shiite holy city of Qom, where thousands of mourners gathered to pay their respects.

Reports from the funeral indicated that some attendees chanted slogans calling for the death of President Donald Trump, underscoring the deep tensions that continue to cloud efforts to restore stability in the region.

The latest attack highlights the ongoing security risks facing commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, despite continued diplomatic efforts to reduce hostilities and restore confidence along one of the world’s busiest energy corridors.