A vessel has caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz, 9 nautical miles north of Khasab, Oman, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The agency received information from the master of a third-party vessel in the area.
The crew’s status remains unknown, and no damage assessment or environmental impact report has been carried out so far. UKMTO has advised vessels transiting the area to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activity as authorities investigate.
The origin of the fire, including whether it was caused by a projectile or another reason, has not been independently verified by UKMTO.
Earlier, on October 18, a tugboat travelling southbound near Khor Fakkan port in the UAE was struck by two unknown projectiles. The vessel sustained damage but continued on its route, while one minor casualty was reported.
On Saturday, UKMTO also received a delayed report of a tanker being struck by an unknown projectile 68 nautical miles northeast of Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia.
The latest incident comes as the United States is reportedly considering fresh strikes on Iran. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Sayyid Mojtaba Khamenei, has called for an end to the current state of “neither war nor peace” in the region.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told the nation’s cabinet that the government would earnestly pursue the realisation and fulfilment of the Leader’s decree with all its capacity.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said he had approved his Vice President’s request to contact Iran regarding its need for assistance with medical supplies. Diplomatic efforts continue to end the war, which has been ongoing for over eight months.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran remained “in close and ongoing contact” with mediators regarding ideas to implement its seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
