MUSCAT, October 3, 2026 — Two oil tankers were struck by unidentified projectiles in and around the Strait of Hormuz within hours of each other, Britain’s maritime agency said on Friday, in the latest threat to shipping through the world’s most critical oil waterway.
What happened
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported the first incident in the strait itself. The vessel was hit by an “unidentified projectile,” causing a small fire and a blackout on board, the agency said. The fire was later extinguished, there were no casualties and no environmental impact was reported, maritime officials said. The vessel, which was exiting the strait, was able to resume its journey, UKMTO said, without identifying the ship or its ports of origin and destination.
Hours later, the master of a crude oil tanker reported being struck by an “unknown projectile” on the port side about four nautical miles east of Oman, according to a UKMTO advisory posted late Friday. All crew members were reported safe and no environmental impact was reported, the agency said. UKMTO said authorities were investigating both incidents and advised vessels in the area to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity.
Indian crew rescued from struck tanker
In a related incident, five Indian nationals aboard the Kuwait-flagged tanker MT Kazimah III were safely moved ashore after their vessel was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, the Embassy of India in Oman said. In a statement on X, the embassy said it had coordinated the rescue of the five crew members and thanked the Omani authorities for their support. According to maritime tracking data, the MT Kazimah III was en route to the port of Lome in Togo.
Strait at the heart of regional conflict
The attacks deepen fears over the security of the Hormuz passage, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and LNG once flowed before the US-Israel-Iran conflict escalated in late February and sparked a wider Middle East war, trade sources said. Tehran has been blocking the passage of commercial ships, firing on vessels it accuses of making unauthorised crossings, regional analysts said. Washington has responded with a counter-blockade of Iranian ports in an effort to prevent Tehran from exporting its oil, officials said.
The incidents came as tensions across the Gulf surged. The United States is sending more naval forces to the region, with the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and around 9,000 sailors and Marines heading to the Middle East, US officials said. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, intercepted several Houthi ballistic missiles and drones aimed at its southern cities over the weekend, Saudi officials said.
Oil markets on edge
The strikes put fresh pressure on energy markets already jittery over a possible wider confrontation involving Iran. Brent crude settled at US$102.25 a barrel on Friday, while US West Texas Intermediate fell to US$91.11, trade data showed, as European leaders agreed to release diesel from their reserves to ease price pressures. Shipping insurers are expected to raise war-risk premiums for vessels transiting the Gulf, industry sources said.
