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A tanker caught fire on Monday after being struck by a projectile while navigating through the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman, according to a report by the Associated Press (AP), which cited the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
According to the British agency, the projectile struck the port side of the vessel near Limah, Oman, while the tanker was heading south to exit the strait toward the Gulf of Oman.
Authorities stated that the incident did not cause environmental contamination and confirmed that an investigation has been launched to clarify the circumstances of the attack.
Although no group has claimed responsibility for the action so far, suspicions fall on Iran, which has been linked to several attacks on commercial vessels navigating this strategic maritime route since the outbreak of the armed conflict on February 28, 2026.
The incident occurs at a time of heightened tension in the Strait of Hormuz. On July 3, the Iranian joint military command warned that all oil tankers crossing the area must adhere to the navigation routes authorized by Tehran.
"Any noncompliance, deviation from the designated route, or disregard for the navigation protocols of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Strait of Hormuz will receive an immediate and forceful response from the armed forces," stated the official communiqué, which also warned that any intervention by U.S. forces in the area would provoke a "quick and decisive reaction."
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important energy corridors in the world. Under normal conditions, about one-fifth of the oil and natural gas traded internationally passes through its waters, so any incident in the area immediately impacts energy markets.
Since the outbreak of the conflict, maritime traffic has experienced repeated interruptions. Iran has temporarily closed the passage on several occasions, holding dozens of tankers and causing sharp increases in the international price of crude oil.
The attack on Monday adds to a series of incidents that have occurred in recent months. Among them are the attack on the tanker Skylight on March 1, which left two crew members dead, and the drone strike against the vessel M/T Kiku on June 11, when a ship transporting more than two million barrels of oil was hit in the area.
The new aggression adds pressure to the negotiations between Washington and Tehran regarding navigation in the Strait. Although both parties reached a temporary memorandum of understanding in June allowing free passage of vessels for 60 days without fees, significant differences remain regarding the future of the maritime corridor.
While Iran insists on establishing a permanent system for control and tolls for the passage of vessels, the United States and the Arab Gulf countries reject any measure that restricts freedom of navigation in one of the planet's most strategic trade routes.
Conversations have also been influenced by the state funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who passed away on February 28 during the initial attacks of Operation Epic Fury. His body was transferred this Monday to the city of Qom for official tributes prior to his burial, scheduled for July 9 in Mashhad.
Analysts warn that a new increase in attacks in the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a larger military escalation and once again impact the global oil supply, with direct consequences for international markets and global energy stability.
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