DUBAI: A tanker was reported burning and sinking near Oman on Thursday as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that three vessels had struck sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh concerns about the safety of commercial shipping in the region.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said it had received a report of a vessel on fire about nine nautical miles (17 kilometres) north of Khasab, on Oman’s Musandam Peninsula.
Maritime security firm Vanguard said the master of a passing Panama-flagged tanker had spotted the unidentified vessel burning and largely submerged.
Another vessel was seen nearby and may have been assisting, but authorities had not confirmed a rescue operation. The stricken tanker’s identity, flag, ownership and cargo remained unknown, and officials had not established the condition of its crew.
No casualties or environmental damage had been confirmed at the time of reporting.
UKMTO Urges Ships to Exercise Caution
UKMTO urged vessels transiting the area to exercise caution and report suspicious activity.
The agency did not independently confirm reports that the tanker had been struck by a projectile or was sinking.
The incident’s connection, if any, to the separate reports from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also remained unclear.
Iran Claims Three Tankers Hit Sea Mines
Separately, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said three tankers had exploded and caught fire after striking sea mines while travelling along what the Guards described as an unauthorised route south of the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the Guards accused the vessels of switching off their radar and navigation systems and ignoring warnings from the Iranian navy.
The statement did not identify the vessels or provide details about casualties. It was also unclear whether any of the three tankers were connected to the vessel reported burning near Oman.
The claims had not been independently verified.
Strait of Hormuz Tensions Threaten Shipping
The incidents come amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway for global oil and natural gas shipments.
Since the conflict began in February, Iran has sought to restrict access to the strait and attacked vessels it accuses of transiting without authorisation. The United States has imposed a counterblockade on Iranian ports.
Commercial shipping has faced repeated security threats in the region. According to the information provided, the bulk carrier Cape Dao sank after being struck off Khasab in September, while the containership GFS Pride was lost earlier this month.
The International Maritime Organization recorded 121 confirmed maritime incidents across the Middle East as of October 27, with 24 seafarer fatalities, according to figures cited in the report.
The fate of the tanker reported burning on Thursday, along with the condition of its crew, remained unknown.
