Explosion Reported Near Tanker Off Oman, Crew Safe, UKMTO Says

There was an explosion early on Monday near a tanker off the coast of Oman, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre confirmed, according to Anadolu Agency.

UKMTO said it received a report of an incident about 20 nautical miles northeast of the Omani town of Khasab after the master of the tanker reported hearing an explosion close to the vessel.

The vessel and its crew were safe, and authorities launched an investigation into the incident, UKMTO said.

The agency advised vessels transiting the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions around the Strait of Hormuz following recent military confrontations between the United States and Iran.

Washington has called on Tehran to ensure freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway, while Iran has said shipping traffic in waters off its coast should be subject to its oversight.

On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump said he had cancelled a planned military strike on Iran after regional mediation efforts. Iranian officials rejected the claim, denying reports that any agreement had been reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.