Two Vessels Attacked in the Strait of Hormuz and a Third Incident Reported in Gulf of Oman

Incidents. On 13 July at 2300 UTC, UKMTO released Warning 085-26 relating to an incident 40nm northeast of Qalhat, Oman. The Master of a Tanker reported being hit by an unknown projectile on the starboard side engine room. All crew were reported as safe and accounted for with no environmental impact reported. On 14 July UKMTO released further Warnings (086-26 and 087-26) regarding two separate incidents both reported to have occurred 13nm southeast of Limah, Oman. Two tankers both reported being hit by a missile while transiting outbound on the southern SOH transit route.

Fig1. Location of Incidents 13nm southeast Limah, and 40nm northeast of Qalhat, Oman 

Comment. These incidents are the latest in the cycle of attacks by the IRGC on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman. The IRGC has confirmed it carried out the attacks on two tankers, reported to be the Liberian-flagged oil tanker MOMBASA B and the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker, AL BAHYAH. Both tankers were transiting the southern SOH transit route at the time of the incidents and some reports suggest at least one crew member has been killed and up to ten injured during the attacks. The vessel involved in the third incident which occurred in the Gulf of Oman is reported to be the Liberia-flagged Chemical Tanker, STOLT MAGNESIUM. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack and although there is no obvious motive for this attack, it is highly likely the IRGC were involved.

Assessment. These attacks follow another night of US military action against targets in Iran aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to attack ships in the SOH. Iran says it attack the vessels because they ignored warnings, turned off navigation systems and attempted to pass through a mined route. We assess these incidents are the latest events in a cycle of retaliatory, tit-for-tat action between the US and Iran which sees both side attempting to exert control in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran is attempting to coerce commercial shipping to use routes controlled by the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), while the US and its partners maintain that the internationally recognised southern transit route remains open. It is also likely Iran is responding to the announcement by President Trump yesterday that the US will reinstate the blockade of Iranian ports. We do not believe however, that this exchange indicates a return to the full-spectrum hostilities witnessed between 28 February and 7 April 2026; it reflects limited, recurring escalation tied specifically to IRGC interference with Strait of Hormuz.