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Three tankers are reportedly on fire in the Gulf of Oman, with conflicting reports about the cause including a possible collision.
- The incident occurs amid heightened tensions in the region, particularly between Israel and Iran, which has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz.
- The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil trade, handling over 20 million barrels daily, making the incident a significant concern for international markets.
Three tankers are reportedly on fire in the Gulf of Oman, according to social media posts, as cited by the Hindustan Times.
Maritime Firm Confirms ‘Incident’ Near UAE Coast
Reports from social media and satellite data suggest that three ships may be on fire near the Strait of Hormuz, close to Iranian waters.
Kpler energy analyst Amena Bakr said on X that a British maritime security provider had reported it was aware of an unspecified incident in the area.
New Delhi: A fire was reported onboard a vessel in the Gulf of Oman, around 22 nautical miles off the coast of Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, on Tuesday . Satellite data and maritime sources suggest the incident took place amid ongoing regional tensions between Iran and Israel, though the exact cause of the fire remains unclear.
Ambrey Confirms Vessel Incident
Ambrey, a UK-based maritime risk management company, confirmed that it is aware of an “incident” involving a ship in the area. The firm said the vessel was located near Khor Fakkan, in UAE waters along the Gulf of Oman, which connects to the sensitive Strait of Hormuz.
While Ambrey did not share further details, the acknowledgment adds weight to online claims that at least one ship is burning in the region.
NASA Detects Fire in Same Zone
Adding to the concerns, NASA’s FIRMS (Fire Information for Resource Management System) recorded three active fire zones in the same Gulf of Oman stretch. This particular region is considered one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes, with more than 20% of global oil supply passing through it.
The satellite heat signatures detected in the past few hours were not present in previous days, suggesting that the fires are recent.
Photos Show Flames on Water
Photos circulating online appear to show large fires on the surface of the sea. Some social media users claim that the images show ships or tankers burning near the Iranian coast, though these claims remain unverified.
There is no word yet from the Iranian authorities or international observers, including the United Arab Emirates, on whether any vessels were attacked or accidentally caught fire.
Tensions in Region Remain High
The report comes amid increasing tensions in the region due to Israel-Iran conflict. The Strait of Hormuz, adjacent to the Gulf of Oman, has seen past confrontations and accidents involving military and commercial ships.
Authorities are expected to issue statements once investigations are complete and daylight assessments are made.
Though ship tracking suggests this likely happened over three hours ago, which does not explain why there had been no reports until the picture showing the fires and the statement by Ambrey [the British maritime security firm].”
The Strait of Hormuz is currently attracting a lot of attention amid the war between Israel and Iran, and the fact Iran has threatened in the past to close the chokepoint in case of hostilities against it.
The chokepoint handles more than 20 million barrels daily in oil trade, with the bulk of Middle Eastern oil—and Qatari LNG—passing through it en route to international markets.
Israel and Iran continued firing missiles at each other for the fifth day in a row with both sides apparently unwilling to end the hostilities. European foreign ministers earlier this week urged the Iranian foreign minister to restart nuclear negotiations with the U.S. and de-escalate, to which Abbas Araqchi responded that Tehran’s priority right now was retaliating against Israel, which attacked Iran on Friday.
President Trump also called on the Iranians to cease hostilities, saying on his social network Truth Social that Tehran should evacuate.
