An oil tanker was reportedly struck in Omani waters near the Strait of Hormuz after sailing along a maritime route recently endorsed by Oman and international authorities. The incident comes amid heightened tensions over competing shipping corridors through the strategic waterway. While reports have suggested possible involvement of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), there has been no independent confirmation or official attribution at this stage.
Earlier on Thursday, Oman announced that commercial vessels could transit through its territorial waters using a newly designated route, bypassing the Iranian-controlled shipping lane. Iran subsequently warned that tankers should only use the route designated by Tehran, with the IRGC cautioning against alternative passages.
Following the reported attack, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone conversation with Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi to discuss the evolving maritime situation.
According to Araghchi, “We re-emphasized that Iran and Oman will conduct dialogue to define future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz. We’re determined and will do so in discussion with our neighbors.”
The latest developments underscore growing tensions over navigation and maritime governance in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor through which a significant share of the world’s oil exports passes.
