Tanker Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz Hours After Reopening

A tanker was fired upon in the Strait of Hormuz less than 24 hours after Iran and the United States declared the key waterway fully open.

According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the incident occurred about 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman, where a tanker was approached by two IRGC gunboats and fired upon without prior radio warning. The vessel and crew were reported safe.

The tanker is believed to be the Indian-flagged VLCC Sanmar Herald, based on AIS tracking data and industry reports. The vessel had initially attempted an eastbound transit earlier in the day before turning back, later making a second attempt when the incident occurred.

Following the incidents, several vessels aborted transit attempts.

Iranian officials later indicated the strait had been returned to a state of “strict management and control” by its armed forces, citing unresolved tensions over U.S. sanctions.

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