Gulf of Oman: Maritime incident reported 65 nautical miles east of Fujairah, Oman, in the Gulf of Oman, Aug. 3

Event

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has acknowledged a non-piracy incident involving a commercial vessel has occurred in the Gulf of Oman, approximately 65 nautical miles east of Fujairah, Aug. 3. No casualties were immediately reported. Additional detail regarding the incident is unavailable.

Depending on the nature of the incident, Persian Gulf littoral states and their allies could increase naval and aerial surveillance in response to the event. Disruptions to shipping and maritime transport in the area are possible.

Context

A series of high-profile incidents involving vessels and oil tankers have occurred in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman in recent years. The incident on Aug. 3 comes less than a week after an Israeli-linked oil tanker was attacked by a suspected Iranian-launched weaponized drone in the Arabian Sea on July 30. As tensions between Washington and its allies and Tehran persist, further similar incidents remain likely.

Advice

Exercise caution and reconfirm routes with maritime authorities if transiting or shipping freight through the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, or Arabian Sea in the coming days.