Iran Claims Missile Strike on Oil Tanker Near Oman Coast

TEHRAN (Terror Monitor) — An oil tanker near the coast of Oman was targeted in a missile attack, causing a fire to break out on board. Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB claimed that the vessel was struck by Iranian missiles.

According to Iranian media reports, the Qatari oil tanker “Al Raqaiyat” attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz using the Omani route with assistance from the U.S. Navy. Iranian reports claimed that after allegedly ignoring repeated warnings, the vessel was targeted.

Meanwhile, the British Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that it received a report of a maritime incident approximately eight nautical miles east of the Omani city of Lima.

According to UKMTO, an oil tanker traveling south was struck on its port side by an unidentified missile, causing a fire onboard. The agency said no casualties or environmental pollution have been reported.

The UKMTO advised all vessels operating in the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity.

The incident comes amid heightened security concerns and tensions surrounding maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy shipments.

According to shipping data, a fleet of 10 Japan-linked vessels recently transited the Strait of Hormuz, including a major crude oil tanker carrying Middle Eastern oil, two chemical tankers, a vehicle carrier, and a container ship.

Iran has designated a maritime route near its coastline for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, while Oman has also established a separate route near its territorial waters.

Following Oman’s announcement of a temporary maritime corridor, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that only the Iranian-designated route was considered safe and that vessels violating the rules could face action.

However, Iran’s claim regarding the missile strike has not been independently verified, and further investigations into the incident are ongoing.