Tanker Hit by Two Explosive Devices in Strait of Hormuz, Crew Safe

A tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz was attacked with two explosive devices attached to its hull by a small boat, causing a fire in the engine room that temporarily disabled the vessel, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.

The incident took place on Thursday at about 2212 UTC, around 25 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman. In an update on Friday, UKMTO said a verified report confirmed that all crew were safe and that there was no environmental impact.

“The tanker was approached on the port side by a small boat which attached two explosive devices to the hull above the waterline,” UKMTO said. The blasts started a fire in the engine room. “The fire is now reported as extinguished and the vessel is continuing to its next port of call,” it added.

It had first received a report of an outbound tanker on fire, with the cause, crew status and damage unknown. UKMTO told vessels in the area to transit with caution and report suspicious activity while authorities investigate.

IRAN: STRAIT IS CLOSED

The incident comes amid rising tension over shipping in the strait. Iranian military authorities are asserting control over the waterway and warning commercial vessels against transiting areas they call restricted and unsafe.

Iran’s Army Navy Public Relations told state broadcaster IRIB that a tanker in a restricted area east of the strait “was damaged and caught fire after hitting a naval mine.” The strait, it said, “is closed to violating ships that intend to pass through prohibited and unsafe areas without coordination and relying on the lies of the US President.” Major General Yazidi said it “will remain closed until Iran’s conditions are met.”

Iran’s armed forces also claimed that at least three oil tankers caught fire after striking mines in 24 hours while trying to cross the strait. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps alleged that the vessels used an unauthorised southern route, switched off their radar and navigation systems and ignored warnings from the Iranian navy.

COOPER BRIEFS TRUMP

In Washington, The Wall Street Journal reported that Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, briefed President Donald Trump on military options for Iran at a White House meeting on Thursday.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine and other Cabinet members were there, the paper said. The talks come amid reports of a possible resumption of major US combat operations after the US-Israeli bombing campaign that began on February 28. Washington has increased air defences, munitions and supplies across the Middle East in recent weeks.

GHALIBAF: ‘CARROT AND STICK DOES NOT AFFECT IRAN’

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Washington’s approach would not change Tehran’s stance on negotiations. “The carrot-and-stick approach does not affect Iran,” he wrote on X. “Progress can only be achieved once Iran’s seven conditions have been agreed upon.”

His remarks followed reports of efforts to revive talks, including a letter from Vice President JD Vance to Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei. The Tasnim and Fars news agencies reported that Tehran had received the letter but had not yet replied.

With inputs from ANI