Three Tankers Escape Suspected Attacks Near Khasab, Oman

Three tankers came under apparent attack in the Gulf of Oman on August 2, near the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz.

The VLCC Egypt Prosperity was moving through water roughly 20 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman, when the crew received threats over VHF radio. The callers claimed to be from Iran's Sepah Navy and warned that the tanker would be attacked. Moments later, a loud explosion was heard at a considerable distance off its starboard beam. Egypt Prosperity changed course and headed for Dubai. All crew were reported safe.

Nearby, the Liberia-flagged aframax On Pride was inbound through Omani coastal waters when warning shots arrived from the north. The crew reported an explosion roughly 1.5 nautical miles off the port quarter. On Pride and its crew were unharmed.

A third tanker, the Marshall Islands-flagged Velos Amber, also reported an explosion at the same location northeast of Khasab. UK Maritime Trade Operations issued Advisory 103-26 at 20:37 UTC, noting that the master had reported hearing a nearby blast. Tanker and crew were reported safe. Iran's state broadcaster IRNA released a photograph it said showed Velos Amber's aft section on fire; the image has not been verified by independent outlets.

UKMTO advised shipping in the area to exercise caution. No government authority or maritime agency officially attributed the incidents to Iran or any other party. The claim of Sepah Navy identity by the VHF callers has not been independently confirmed.

Khasab sits in Oman's Musandam peninsula, directly at the strait's entrance. Tankers approaching from the Indian Ocean pass through this narrow channel. The incidents follow repeated strikes and near-misses in the area since late July, including the LNG tanker GasLog Shanghai, hit in the engine room on August 1 while exiting the strait.