A cargo vessel is hit by an unknown projectile in waters off Oman

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre said a cargo vessel reported being hit by an unknown projectile in waters off the coast of Oman early on Tuesday, 4 August 2026 (13 Mordad 1405).

According to the centre, the vessel was sailing about 20 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman, and broadcast that it had been struck on VHF Channel 16. UKMTO said authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and advised vessels transiting the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity. No group had claimed responsibility for the reported attack at the time of the report.

The incident comes as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have risen following recent military confrontations between the United States and Iran. Washington has called on Tehran to ensure freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway, while Iran insists that shipping in waters off its coast should be subject to its oversight. Khasab lies on the Musandam peninsula at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, a passage carrying roughly one fifth of global oil supply, where any security incident feeds into marine insurance costs and the risk premium in oil prices.