Vessel was transiting a protected maritime corridor near the Strait of Hormuz when the strike occurred; crew confirmed safe.
MUSCAT, Oman — An oil tanker transiting a high-security shipping corridor off the coast of Oman was struck by an unidentified projectile on Tuesday, leaving the vessel disabled in critical waters near the Strait of Hormuz.
The attack occurred approximately 9 nautical miles northeast of Ash Shishah, according to an advisory issued by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The projectile struck the ship’s engine room, causing severe operational damage that knocked out propulsion.
All crew members aboard the vessel have been reported safe and uninjured. Emergency responders and regional maritime authorities are assessing the scene, though the extent of any potential environmental damage or oil spillage remains unknown.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the strike. The incident occurred within a protected maritime lane monitored by international naval forces, following weeks of heightened security posture in regional waterways.
The strike is the latest in a series of attacks targeting commercial shipping and crude carriers operating near the Musandam Peninsula and the Gulf of Oman during 2026. Maritime security firms have repeatedly warned vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz—a vital chokepoint for global oil supplies—to exercise extreme caution and maintain heightened vigilance due to ongoing geopolitical hostilities in the region.
Regional naval authorities have dispatched assistance to the crippled tanker to secure the area and evaluate towage options. Further investigations into the origin and nature of the projectile are underway.
