Tanker disabled by unknown projectile off Oman as Strait of Hormuz traffic collapses 77%
A second vessel reported an explosion nearby as Iran's de facto closure of the strait cut daily crossings to just five ships, Kpler data shows.
Tanker disabled, second vessel reports explosion
On Saturday, a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile approximately 11 nautical miles (20 kilometers) northeast of Lima, Oman, at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the projectile caused damage to the engine room, leaving the vessel not under command. No casualties or environmental harm were reported. In a separate incident the same day, the captain of another tanker reported a water spout and an explosion in close proximity to his ship 21 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, also on Oman's Musandam Peninsula. The type of projectile and the party responsible have not been determined; an investigation is underway.
A chokepoint under Iranian control
The Strait of Hormuz, the narrow passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, handles a large share of the world's seaborne oil, liquefied natural gas, and fertilizer. Since the resumption of hostilities between the United States and Iran on July 7, the waterway has become a central front. Iran has demanded that all commercial vessels use a route hugging its coastline and pay transit fees, asserting that only this corridor is safe. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards have reinforced their claim over the strait, despite the international law principle of free passage. The United States has responded by renewing its own blockade of Iranian ports.
Shipping traffic collapses
The effect on maritime traffic has been dramatic. Commodities data firm Kpler reported on Friday that daily crossings through the Strait of Hormuz had fallen 77% in a single day, to just five ships. All of those vessels were operating within the unilateral Iranian routing measure.
As public positions of the US and Iran remain irreconcilable, operators are closely monitoring traffic volumes, route patterns and any diplomatic developments that could reshape risk on regional shipping lanes in the coming days.
A broken diplomatic track
The escalation follows the failure of a memorandum of understanding announced by mediators on 14 June, intended to bring the conflict to a formal end within 60 days of signing. It broke down on 6 and 7 July, when Iran fired on three commercial vessels that had bypassed its preapproved route. US strikes followed, Trump said the memorandum was over, and Iran retaliated by striking targets in regional countries and tightening its hold on the strait. The two sides' public stances remain far apart, leaving shipping companies to navigate a rapidly shifting risk landscape with no clear off-ramp.
- Mediators announce a memorandum of understanding meant to end the conflict within 60 days of signing.
- Iran fires on three commercial vessels that bypassed its route; hostilities resume and Iran locks the strait, demanding ships use its coastal corridor and pay transit fees.
- Tanker struck by unknown projectile off Lima, Oman; second vessel reports water spout and explosion near Khasab.
