Attack Details
A fire broke out on a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz after it was attacked with two explosives near the coasts of the Sultanate of Oman, causing temporary disruption before the flames were extinguished and its voyage resumed, with no injuries among its crew.
Circumstances of the Incident
This came according to an update issued by the UK Maritime Trade Operations on Friday regarding an incident that occurred 25 nautical miles northeast of the Omani city of Khasab, on Thursday evening. The authority stated that a small boat approached the tanker while it was sailing outside the area and attached two explosives to its hull above the waterline.
Crew Safety and Investigation
It added that subsequent explosions caused a fire in the engine room, leading to the temporary disablement of the tanker. The authority confirmed that the fire was extinguished and all crew members were safe, with no environmental effects recorded resulting from the incident.
It noted that the tanker is currently continuing its journey toward its next port of call, without disclosing its identity or destination. The authority called ships transiting the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activities, while relevant authorities continue to investigate the incident.
Regional Context
The authority did not specify the party responsible for the attack. This comes amid escalating security risks to navigation in the Arabian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and surrounding waterways in recent months, with a series of attacks and incidents targeting commercial vessels.
These events coincide with ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States regarding navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important strategic passages for global energy and goods supplies, and a key file in negotiations between the two sides. The war began with attacks launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28, before a ceasefire was reached in April, followed by renewed confrontations between Washington and Tehran in July amid stalled negotiations, despite the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two sides in mid-June.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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