DUBAI, October 31, 2026 — Several commercial vessels have been attacked in and around the Strait of Hormuz, with maritime authorities reporting fires and projectile strikes as Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed that four oil tankers had hit naval mines while attempting to cross the strategic waterway.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency issued four incident notices on October 29 and 30, documenting attacks or reports of vessels being struck in the strait and nearby Gulf waters.
One of the most serious incidents occurred approximately 25 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman, where a vessel caught fire on Thursday evening. Maritime security sources subsequently identified the ship as the Panama-flagged tanker Louise 1.
According to Reuters, a small boat approached the tanker and attached two limpet mines to its hull, causing an engine-room fire and temporarily disabling the vessel.
UKMTO later reported that the crew was safe, the fire had been extinguished and the vessel was continuing towards its next port. No environmental damage was reported.
The identity of those responsible for the attack has not been established.
In separate notices, UKMTO reported that a tanker travelling out of the Strait of Hormuz had been struck by an unidentified projectile. Another vessel was hit on its port side approximately 40 nautical miles south of Iran’s Lavan Island, causing a fire, although its crew was reported safe.
A further notice issued on Friday concerned a crude oil tanker struck by an unidentified projectile during an outbound transit. Authorities were investigating the incidents and advised vessels to exercise caution.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Navy, meanwhile, said four oil tankers had caught fire or exploded after entering routes it described as unauthorised. Iranian state media carried claims that at least two of the vessels were carrying approximately two million barrels of crude oil each.
Reuters said it could not independently verify the Iranian account. The UKMTO notices do not establish that four tankers struck mines, or that every reported incident involved a separate vessel.
The latest attacks add to security concerns in the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for oil and liquefied natural gas shipments from Gulf producers to international markets.
Commercial shipping through the waterway has faced repeated disruptions since the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran began in February. Maritime operators have had to assess the risks of attacks, delays and additional security costs when planning voyages through the region.
For energy-importing countries, including Pakistan, continued disruption to Gulf shipping poses risks to fuel and gas supply arrangements, particularly where shipments depend on access through the strait.
The latest incidents also highlight the difficulty of establishing responsibility and assessing damage while vessels remain exposed to security threats in one of the world’s busiest energy corridors.