Oman’s navy rescued 25 crew members from a merchant vessel that caught fire after being targeted in the Gulf of Oman, while Iran said three oil tankers had been halted during attempts to cross the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The incidents on October 30, 2026, underline the continuing risks to commercial shipping as the West Asia conflict disrupts maritime traffic and energy exports.
The rescued sailors were aboard the Panama-flagged vessel RITI, which Oman’s Maritime Security Centre identified as a merchant ship. Ship-tracking information described it as a crude oil tanker.
Oman confirms rescue operation
Oman’s Maritime Security Centre said the navy evacuated all 25 crew members from the RITI after the vessel was targeted and a fire broke out onboard. The sailors received medical assistance, although authorities did not disclose further details about their condition or identify those responsible for the incident.
Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported that another vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile approximately 40 nautical miles (74 kilometres) south of Iran’s Lavan Island. The impact caused a fire, but the crew were reported safe and no environmental damage had been reported at the time of the agency’s statement.
It was not immediately clear whether this vessel was connected to the incidents reported by Iran or whether the attacks involved the same ships.
Iran says three oil tankers were halted
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said three oil tankers had been stopped after encountering incidents or striking naval mines while attempting to use routes Tehran considers unauthorised.
According to the Guards, two tankers were halted in waters south of the strait after attempting to travel through separate eastern and western sections of what Iran described as an unauthorised corridor.
The IRGC alleged that the vessels had switched off their navigation and positioning systems and ignored radio warnings. It also said a supertanker carrying approximately two million barrels of oil had stopped following an explosion attributed to a naval mine.
Iran did not provide independently verified details identifying all the vessels or explaining the precise circumstances of the reported incidents. Reuters reported that the claims about tankers hitting mines could not be independently verified.
Iran has insisted that ships crossing the waterway should follow a designated route and coordinate their passage with its armed forces. Tehran considers a southern corridor closer to Oman's coastline unauthorised.
United States says key shipping routes have been cleared
The United States has disputed Iran's claims about the presence of naval mines along internationally recognised shipping routes.
U.S. Central Command chief Brad Cooper said American forces had successfully cleared the main recognised transit routes in the Strait of Hormuz of Iranian sea mines. He added that U.S. forces would remain in the region to help ensure the routes stayed accessible.
Cooper also referred to the presence of more than 50,000 American service members in the region and said Washington had helped Gulf countries export more than 1.5 billion barrels of crude oil through the strait since the summer.
The United States has also imposed a counterblockade on Iranian ports in response to Tehran's restrictions on maritime traffic, adding another obstacle to Iran's oil exports and international trade.
Why the Strait of Hormuz matters to global trade
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy-shipping routes. It normally handles approximately one-fifth of global oil flows, making disruptions there significant for energy markets, shipping companies and countries dependent on imported crude.
Restrictions, attacks and uncertainty over safe passage can increase shipping costs, complicate delivery schedules and create volatility in international energy markets. Prolonged disruption could also affect businesses that depend on stable fuel supplies and cross-border trade.
The latest incidents highlight the growing risks facing commercial vessels operating in the region. With Iran maintaining restrictions, the United States asserting that recognised routes have been cleared, and further reports of ships being struck, the security of maritime traffic remains uncertain.
Companies involved in international trade and payments may need to monitor regional developments and assess their exposure to shipping delays, changing costs and supply-chain disruption. Shunyatax's business advisory services provide support for businesses navigating financial and operational considerations.