Three vessels, including an oil tanker, were reportedly struck by unidentified projectiles while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
The maritime authority said it received a report from a credible source that the vessels had been affected by unidentified projectiles on Tuesday.
Authorities have launched an investigation to establish the circumstances of the incidents and determine the nature and possible origin of the projectiles.
UK maritime authorities have urged vessels operating in and around the Strait of Hormuz to exercise caution while transiting the area and to report any suspicious activity.
No party has so far claimed responsibility for the reported incidents.
Iran issues warning over shipping routes
The reports come days after Iranian authorities warned vessel owners against allowing ships to use unauthorised routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Iranian authority responsible for the waterway said the use of unapproved routes could expose vessels, owners, masters and crew members to financial and physical risks.
Iranian officials also warned that restrictions could be imposed on vessels attempting to transit the Strait through routes that have not been approved by Iranian authorities.
The authority said it had received reports that some charterers were directing vessels to use unauthorised routes. If violations are established, the companies concerned could be placed on a non-compliance list and their vessels could face restrictions on transiting the Strait.
Strait of Hormuz at centre of wider tensions
The Strait of Hormuz has become a major point of tension amid the confrontation between Washington and Tehran, with freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway increasingly linked to wider security and diplomatic disputes.
The United States has maintained that Iran should not control maritime routes leading into and through the Strait, including routes passing through Omani waters. Washington has also opposed the imposition of transit fees on vessels using the waterway.
Iran, meanwhile, has demanded that vessels obtain permission and follow designated maritime routes when transiting the Strait.
The latest reports of vessels being struck come amid heightened concerns over maritime security in one of the world's most strategically important shipping routes.
