As Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz in response to U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, a series of ship attacks were reported near the strait. Some tankers were said to be at risk of sinking.
According to foreign media on the 1st, Omani authorities said the Palau-flagged tanker Skylight was attacked 5 nautical miles north of the country's Khasab port, injuring four crew members. All 20 crew members evacuated, and the injured were transported for treatment. The crew were reported to be 15 Indian nationals and five Iranian nationals.
The Omani government did not identify the attacker. The vessel was designated for U.S. Treasury Department sanctions on Dec. 18 last year for transporting Iranian petroleum products.
Iranian state TV said, "A tanker attempting to illegally pass through the Strait of Hormuz was attacked and is currently sinking," and aired footage of black smoke billowing.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also disclosed two cases of ship attacks that occurred in waters near Oman. At 9 a.m. U.K. time, a vessel was attacked 2 nautical miles north of Oman, and 50 minutes later, another vessel was hit by an unidentified projectile 50 nautical miles north of Muscat, causing a fire in the engine room that was subsequently extinguished.
Reuters reported that the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker MKD VYOM came under projectile attack. It was not confirmed whether the Skylight was among the cases disclosed by UKMTO.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic chokepoint through which 20% to 30% of the world's seaborne crude oil shipments pass. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) the previous day declared the closure of the strait and blocked vessel traffic.
According to maritime transport tracking data, at least 150 tankers carrying crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) are unable to exit the strait and are anchored in waters near Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Qatar, with dozens more reportedly waiting off Oman.
Oman News Agency reported that Duqm Port in Oman, discussed as an alternative route, was attacked by two drones the same day, injuring one port worker.