Projectile hits oil tanker near Strait of Hormuz: UKMTO

An oil tanker was struck and disabled by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman early Tuesday, according to maritime security advisories issued by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

The attack caused significant damage to the vessel's engine room, rendering it unable to navigate, though all crew members were reported safe.

What happened during the tanker attack off the coast of Oman?

According to UKMTO Warning 120-26, the incident occurred approximately nine nautical miles (16.7 kilometers) northeast of Ash Shishah, Oman, in the approaches to the Strait of Hormuz. The ship's master reported that a projectile struck the vessel shortly after midnight, immediately disabling its propulsion systems due to severe engine room damage.

Anadolu Agency reported that maritime authorities dispatched regional security assets to inspect the vessel and evaluate potential environmental hazards, as the extent of any oil leakage was not immediately clear. The advisory did not specify the tanker's flag state, owner, or direction of travel.

According to Gulf News, the attack aligns with a pattern of maritime strikes targeting commercial ships in Omani waters amid the ongoing confrontation between the United States and Iran.

How does the strike relate to the broader conflict in the Strait of Hormuz?

The strike follows months of heightened maritime risk throughout the Persian Gulf. Tehran has maintained effective operational control over the Strait of Hormuz since military hostilities broke out in late February, requiring commercial vessels to obtain transit permissions and remit fees while targeting ships accused of circumventing its preferred transit protocols.

The incident occurred just hours before Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi was scheduled to arrive in Tehran for high-level consultations with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi to establish formal shipping and safety regulations for the waterway.

The attack also follows new declarations by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent outlining an aggressive "economic asphyxiation" campaign targeting third-party nations and shipping firms conducting unauthorized trade with Iran. Regional maritime authorities continue advising commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz to exercise extreme caution.