The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said on Tuesday that a group of armed boats attempted to intercept a vessel about 16 nautical miles north of Oman.

The agency said it was investigating the incident, which occurred within the traffic separation scheme of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.

UKMTO said several small armed boats tried to issue warnings to the vessel over the radio, but the ship ignored the calls and continued on its planned course.

The agency did not identify the vessel or its nationality, and there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.