Two ships have been hit by unidentified projectiles off the coast of Oman near the port of Khasab, triggering a security alert in the region.
The incident occurred in maritime waters roughly four nautical miles west of Khasab, according to notification details published by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations.
Information about the attack was conveyed to the agency by the master of a third vessel that was navigating in the wider area at the time of the incident.
The captain reported seeing four projectiles of unknown origin strike the two ships. He noted that the strikes occurred approximately six nautical miles north of his own vessel's position.
Vessel condition and casualties
A fire broke out on board one of the two hit vessels following the impacts. There was no immediate clear picture regarding the condition of the second ship or the extent of any damage it may have sustained.
Identities and details of the two impacted ships have not been made public, and the launch point of the four projectiles remains unknown. No information has been reported regarding potential injuries or casualties among the crew members on either vessel.
Strategic location near Hormuz
Khasab is a coastal port city and the administrative capital of Oman's northern Musandam Governorate. Located on the Musandam Peninsula, the Omani exclave projects into the Strait of Hormuz, controlling the southern approach to the narrow passage that connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global trade corridor, handling significant volumes of international maritime commerce and oil shipments. Due to the high volume of tanker traffic passing through the channel, security incidents in nearby waters draw immediate scrutiny from global shipping lines.
Maritime monitoring role
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations is a British Royal Navy capability that functions as a primary point of contact for merchant shipping in the Middle East and Indian Ocean. The agency tracks maritime safety incidents, issues security advisories to commercial vessels, and coordinates communication between civilian captains and military authorities.
