New Delhi, Aug. 1 -- MUSCAT - A tanker carrying Qatari liquefied natural gas was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, damaging the vessel's engine room and leaving it unable to maneuver in one of the world's most critical shipping corridors. A second tanker reported a large explosion close enough to be called a near miss within hours of the first incident. No group has claimed responsibility, and Iran has not commented.

The disabled tanker was positioned approximately 11 nautical miles northeast of Lima, Oman, when the projectile struck, according to Arab News citing the UK Maritime Trade Operations authority, which coordinates commercial shipping security in the region. The engine room damage was severe enough to ...