New Delhi, Sept. 1 -- As the United States and Iran exchanged fire for the first time in a month, signalling a return to hostilities, maritime security consultant Marisks said on Tuesday (local time) that two oil supertankers were struck by unknown projectiles in quick succession while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

While one of the crude carriers, Sidr, operated by Saudi Arabia's Bahri shipping company, was targeted northeast of Khasab, Oman, the Senegal Prosperity, operated by Sinokor, was struck by three projectiles while travelling east of the country. Both vessels were exiting the Persian Gulf, Bloomberg reported, citing the consultant.

The development came hours after the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a Briti...