A cargo vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on September 23 at 0630 UTC, leaving the ship on fire and adrift [1][2]. The vessel's Company Security Officer reported the incident to UKMTO, which issued warning 142-26 and described the weapon as an unidentified projectile without attributing the attack to any party [1][2]. Lloyd's List reports the bulker adrift; Quantum Commodity Intelligence reports it on fire [1]. Two casualties are reported, including an Indian national per the Jerusalem Post citing the Indian embassy — a single unverified source [1]. TradeWinds reports seafarers injured in the fire [1].

This is a new incident distinct from the Qeshm explosion referenced in the previous post. Transit data remains unchanged: IMF PortWatch recorded 1 crossing on Sep 20 (0 tankers), the newest measured day, with the 7-day average at 3.1/day versus a pre-crisis baseline of ~85 [1][3]. The strait remains effectively closed on an insurance basis; oil passage through Hormuz cannot be confirmed from visible counts or shuttle data alone [1].

Diplomatically, Iran floated conditions for reopening at UNGA-margin talks while Trump escalated rhetoric against Tehran, a contradiction gCaptain noted [1]. Brent stood at $101.82, up 2.23% over 24 hours as of 14:51 UTC [1]. As of 14:49 UTC, 302 AIS-visible vessels were holding position away from berth in the Hormuz/Gulf watch box [1].