Oil tanker reports explosion near Strait of Hormuz off Oman coast

An oil tanker reported an explosion on Thursday while sailing out of the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which classified the incident as an attack.

The agency said it received a report of an incident approximately 16 nautical miles (30 kilometers) east of Khasab, Oman. The tanker’s captain reported an explosion near the vessel’s waterline on its port side as it was transiting the strait toward the exit.

Despite the blast, the vessel continued sailing under its own power. The crew was reported safe and accounted for, UKMTO said. The agency did not provide further details about the nature of the attack or the ship’s flag.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the strategic waterway. Iran said Friday that two other oil tankers had struck mines while traveling along what it described as unauthorized routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard also maintained that the strait remains blocked and would stay that way until the United States accepts seven conditions for ending the war.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Qatar’s Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, about efforts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East. Qatar has been involved in mediation efforts related to the conflict in Iran.