A tanker caught fire Tuesday morning after being struck by a projectile while traveling in the Strait of Hormuz, near the coast of Oman, according to the British military. The incident is the latest in a series of attacks targeting ships in the narrow waterway, which is crucial for global oil and natural gas transport.
Iranian state television reported the liquefied natural gas tanker was attacked after ignoring warnings but did not officially claim responsibility for the assault. The report, citing anonymous sources, suggested Tehran carried out the strike on a vessel reportedly carrying natural gas from Qatar. Iran's joint military command had previously warned that all oil tankers must use its approved routes through the strait and that interference by U.S. forces would be met with a "rapid and decisive reaction."
However, a multinational body overseen by the U.S. Navy informed shippers on Monday that the route around Oman "has been expanded and remains available for all traffic." The attack occurs as Iran mourns the death of its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed at the beginning of a recent conflict. Mourners have been seen calling for the death of U.S. President Donald Trump during funeral ceremonies. Khamenei's body was flown to Qom for services, with his burial scheduled for Thursday in Mashhad.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center confirmed the tanker was hit near Limah, Oman, on its port side as it was heading south out of the strait. Authorities are investigating the incident, and there have been no reported environmental impacts. The U.S. has expressed a desire to resume negotiations with Iran aimed at reopening the strait, curbing Tehran's nuclear program, and achieving a lasting end to the conflict. Previous attacks in the strait have led to U.S. retaliatory strikes and subsequent Iranian attacks on Gulf Arab states, raising concerns about escalation.
President Trump recently stated that Iran would need to "make a deal or we're going to finish the job," adding that he would prefer a deal to avoid impacting millions of Iranians, but also warning of the U.S. capacity to disrupt Iran's infrastructure. Iran and the U.S. had previously agreed to a temporary arrangement allowing ships to pass without charges for 60 days, but Tehran insisted on controlling and charging for vessel passage, a move opposed by the U.S. and many Gulf Arab states. Efforts to establish new routes near Oman's shore have previously resulted in cross-Mideast attacks.