Tanker Reports Waterline Explosion Near Hormuz; Crew Safe, UK Agency Says

Explosion reported off Oman

November 7, 2026 · 5:00 a.m. Central

A tanker leaving the Strait of Hormuz reported an explosion at its waterline near Oman, but its crew was safe and the vessel continued under its own power, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said.

The agency’s notice places the incident about 16 nautical miles east of Khasab at 10 p.m. UTC on November 5. UKMTO said it received the report late and that authorities were investigating. Reuters also reported the agency’s account on November 6.

The notice did not identify the ship or establish what caused the blast, who may have been responsible, the extent of damage or whether there was pollution. It did not report a fire.

What the warning says

The master reported the explosion on the port side, meaning the left side of the ship when facing forward. The tanker was traveling outbound through the strait, UKMTO said. Its warning advised vessels to use caution and report suspicious activity.

The crew-safe and underway description reflects the information available when the warning was issued; the notice did not confirm the vessel’s eventual destination or the outcome of the investigation.

Separate Iranian claims

Separately, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said on November 6 that two tankers struck mines and caught fire in or near the strait. IranWire reported that the vessels were not identified and the claims had not been independently verified.

The UKMTO notice does not identify a mine, fire or the tanker named in those claims. The available reports do not establish whether they concern the same vessel; combining them would be speculative.

The narrow waterway links Gulf producers to international shipping routes. Recent attacks and reports of maritime hazards have made transit a continuing concern during the Iran war.

The reported timeline

• November 5, 10 p.m. UTC: UKMTO lists the time of the reported waterline explosion.
• November 6: UKMTO issued the delayed warning and Reuters reported the crew was safe and the tanker continuing.
• November 6: Iran made separate claims about two tankers striking mines; their connection to the UKMTO report is unconfirmed.

Where the incident was reported

The star marks the approximate Khasab, Oman and the surrounding Strait of Hormuz area, not a precise event location.

The maritime warning on X

UKMTO posted its warning number on X with a link to the notice. The post and the notice are the same agency’s account, not separate confirmation.

Read UKMTO’s post

Open the original post if the embed does not load.

Sources and visual credits

UKMTO warning 197-26 · Reuters via Devdiscourse · IranWire · UKMTO on X.

Hero and thumbnail: conceptual illustration, not an image of the reported vessel or incident. Map data: OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.