UKMTO: Drone Hits Tanker Near Oman's Sohar Anchorage, Crew Being Evacuated; IRGC Reports Another Tanker Hit a Mine

The UK Maritime Trade Operations centre (UKMTO) changed its classification of an incident from "incident" to "attack" after confirming that a drone struck a tanker off the coast of Oman; the initial report, on Monday, 20 Mehr 1405 (12 October 2026), concerned a tanker near the Sohar anchorage. The agency said local authorities are helping evacuate the crew and that the extent of damage and environmental consequences are not yet clear. No party has been named as responsible. Donya-e-Eqtesad reported the news.

The IRGC Navy's public relations office also said on Sunday, 19 Mehr (11 October), that the third tanker of that day had hit a sea mine and suffered an explosion and severe fire. According to the IRGC, the vessel was a shuttle tanker carrying 750,000 barrels of crude oil that tried to pass through a prohibited route despite warnings. This claim has not been confirmed by an independent source.

Sohar lies on the Sea of Oman, outside the Strait of Hormuz; continued attacks on ships in this area raise insurance and freight costs for oil and bear on oil prices and on Iran's gold and currency markets.