Two vessels hit near Oman’s Khasab as Gulf shipping risks rise

Four unidentified projectiles struck two vessels near Khasab, Oman on Thursday night, setting one vessel ablaze and raising concerns about the increasing threats to commercial shipping in the region. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported the incident, which occurred about 4 nautical miles west of Khasab. One vessel caught fire, while the status of the other vessel was unknown at the time.

The attack was recorded in UKMTO Warning 133-26, issued at 1910 UTC on September 10, 2026. A witness reported seeing the projectiles hit the ships from approximately six nautical miles away. UKMTO has not attributed the attack to any specific party, including Iran, the United States, or other entities. The maritime authorities are investigating the incident, and commercial vessels are advised to exercise extreme caution.

The area is strategically important, as Khasab is situated on Oman's Musandam Peninsula, adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz has already faced disruptions due to the escalating US-Iran conflict. UKMTO has reported several recent incidents in the vicinity of Khasab, including vessels targeted by unknown projectiles and explosions near ships.

On September 9, the agency also reported merchant vessels subjected to disabling fire in the northern Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The latest attack follows a series of confrontations between Iran and the US, which involved attacks on oil tankers and Iran's threats of further restrictions around Hormuz. The ongoing maritime confrontation has significantly reduced shipping through the strategic chokepoint, causing Brent crude to exceed $100 a barrel.

The repeated attacks in the vicinity of Khasab could further deter commercial vessels, increase war-risk insurance costs, and exacerbate the disruption of one of the world's most critical energy corridors.