A tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile about 11 nautical miles northeast of Limah, Oman, on Friday, disabling its engine room and leaving it briefly not under command, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). No casualties or pollution were reported, and the vessel later restored propulsion and resumed its voyage. Hours later, UKMTO logged a second incident in which another tanker, sailing 21 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, reported a large splash followed by an explosion nearby. That vessel sustained no damage.
Neither incident has been attributed to a state or armed group. Even so, the strike profile – disabling a vessel without causing casualties or sinking it – resembles the kind of grey-zone maritime activity that security analysts say is designed to disrupt shipping and raise costs while remaining below the threshold likely to trigger a direct military response. A similar projectile strike was reported off Oman on July 7, when UKMTO said the tanker Wedyan was damaged while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The incident highlighted that commercial shipping in the area remains vulnerable even after periods of reduced regional tensions.
Whether or not the latest incidents are connected, unattributed attacks near the Strait of Hormuz carry consequences beyond the immediate damage. Previous security incidents have prompted the Joint War Committee to expand high-risk transit zones, increasing war-risk insurance premiums and encouraging some operators to alter routes or transit procedures, according to Lloyd’s List. Around one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil trade passes through the narrow waterway, making even isolated attacks significant for shipping companies, insurers and energy markets.
The incidents come weeks after the acute phase of the Israel-Iran conflict subsided, underscoring that maritime risks in the Gulf have not disappeared. Authorities continue to investigate both events, and UKMTO has advised vessels operating in the area to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity immediately.
