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Oman – Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) gunboats fired on an Indian-flagged very large crude carrier (VLCC) in the Strait of Hormuz less than 24 hours after Iran and former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly declared the waterway fully open, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The incident occurred about 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman, where the master of the tanker reported being approached by two IRGC gunboats that opened fire without issuing a VHF radio challenge. UKMTO said the tanker and its crew were reported safe following the attack and noted that tracking data from Pole Star Global placed the vessel in the same area at the time of the incident. Oman – UKMTO said it is likely the tanker involved is the Indian-flagged VLCC Sanmar Herald (IMO 9330563), which has changed its name to INDIANSHIPINDIANCREW on AIS, and a purported radio recording circulating in the industry features a crew member identifying the ship as the Sanmar Herald and protesting that it had been cleared to proceed before being fired upon. Earlier in the day, the vessel approached the entrance to the Strait for an eastbound crossing, turned around, and then made a second attempt when it appears the attack occurred. UKMTO also reported a container ship struck by an unknown projectile 25 nautical miles northeast of Oman, causing damage to containers but no fire or environmental impact, and a separate cruise ship that reported a splash from an unknown projectile close to the vessel three nautical miles east of Oman. Iranian military officials later said they had returned the Strait of Hormuz to its previous state, placing it under the strict management and control of the armed forces, and four CMA CGM container ships attempting to transit the Strait subsequently reversed course back toward the Arabian Gulf.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.