Vessel Attacked With Explosive Devices in Strait of Hormuz, Crew Safe After Engine Room Fire
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
A tanker travelling through the Strait of Hormuz was attacked with two explosive devices attached to its hull by a small boat, triggering an engine room fire and temporarily disabling the vessel. All crew members are safe, and no environmental damage has been reported, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed on Friday.
The incident occurred on Thursday at around 2212 UTC, approximately 25 nautical miles north-east of Khasab, Oman. The vessel has since extinguished the fire and resumed its journey towards its next port of call.
Two Explosive Devices Attached to Tanker's Hull
According to UKMTO, the tanker was approached on its port side by a small boat, whose occupants attached two explosive devices to the vessel's hull above the waterline.
The subsequent explosions triggered a fire in the engine room, temporarily leaving the tanker unable to operate.
In its initial report, UKMTO said the tanker was on fire but that the cause of the incident, crew safety, extent of damage and possible environmental impact were unknown.
However, in a Friday update, the maritime security agency confirmed that all crew members were safe and there had been no environmental impact.
UKMTO has advised vessels passing through the area to remain cautious and report any suspicious activity as authorities investigate the incident.
Iran Claims Tanker Hit Naval Mine
Iran has offered a different account of the incident. The Iranian Army Navy's Public Relations department, in a statement reported by state broadcaster IRIB, claimed that a tanker travelling through a restricted and unsafe area east of the Strait of Hormuz caught fire after striking a naval mine.
The statement said the explosion damaged the vessel and left it unable to move.
Iranian naval authorities also warned commercial vessels against attempting to cross the waterway without coordination, particularly through areas Tehran considers prohibited and unsafe.
"The Strait of Hormuz is closed to violating ships that intend to pass through prohibited and unsafe areas without coordination and relying on the lies of the US President," the statement said.
Major General Yazidi also reiterated that the waterway would remain closed until Iran's conditions were fulfilled, according to IRIB.
US Weighs Military Options Against Iran
The tanker incident comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States over control of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Admiral Brad Cooper, head of the US military's Central Command, briefed US President Donald Trump on possible military options against Iran during a White House meeting on Thursday.
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine and other Cabinet members also attended the meeting, the newspaper reported, citing US officials and people familiar with the discussions.
The discussions come amid reports that Washington is considering resuming major combat operations against Iran following the US-Israeli bombing campaign launched on February 28 this year.
The US has also increased air defence systems, munitions and other military supplies across the Middle East in recent weeks, according to the report.
Iran Rejects US Pressure on Negotiations
Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Washington's approach would not change Tehran's position on negotiations.
"The carrot-and-stick approach does not affect Iran," Ghalibaf wrote in a post on X, adding that progress was possible only after Iran's seven conditions were agreed upon.
His remarks came amid reports of renewed diplomatic efforts, including a letter sent by US Vice President JD Vance to Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei.
Iranian news agencies Tasnim and Fars reported that Tehran had received the letter but had not yet responded.
Separately, Iran's armed forces claimed that at least three oil tankers caught fire after striking mines while attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz within a 24-hour period.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) alleged that the vessels had taken an unauthorised southern route, switched off their radar and navigation systems and ignored warnings issued by the Iranian Navy.
