Tanker hit near Oman’s coast as Iran holds Khamenei funeral, US-Iran talks remain on hold
Tanker hit near Oman's coast as Iran holds Khamenei funeral. (Image courtesy: X/@UK_MTO)
New Delhi: A commercial tanker came under attack near Oman’s coast in the Strait of Hormuz after an unidentified projectile struck the vessel, sparking a fire onboard. The incident has raised fresh concerns over maritime security in the Gulf at a time when Washington and Tehran are struggling to advance stalled negotiations.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the vessel was hit on its port side while moving southbound through the Strait of Hormuz, around 8 nautical miles east of Limah, Oman. The agency confirmed the strike caused a fire onboard, with no casualties or environmental damage reported, and said authorities were investigating the incident.
According to reports, the tanker was carrying liquefied natural gas from Qatar and is believed to have been targeted after ignoring warnings issued by Tehran. Iran, however, has not officially claimed responsibility for the attack.
The incident coincided with Iran holding funeral ceremonies for slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the religious city of Qom on Tuesday. Large crowds gathered to pay their respects before his burial later this week at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad. Iranian authorities have imposed heightened security measures for the duration of the multi-day mourning period.
The ceasefire between the United States and Iran is expected to remain on hold until the funeral proceedings conclude. Speaking on July 4, Donald Trump referenced the pause in hostilities, saying, “We gave them a week off for a funeral, isn’t that nice,” while indicating that Washington would decide its next steps once the mourning period ends.
The latest attack has further delayed diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran. Talks aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, addressing Iran’s nuclear programme, and reaching a longer-term arrangement remain stalled amid ongoing tensions.
Iran, meanwhile, has maintained that commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz must follow routes approved by Tehran. Its military has warned that any interference by US forces in the waterway would be met with a “rapid and decisive reaction,” while Washington and Gulf nations have pushed back against restrictions on international shipping.
