Khasab:A fire has been reported aboard a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, situated 9 nautical miles north of Khasab, Oman, as confirmed by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, the master of a third-party vessel observed another vessel on fire, though the status of the crew remains unknown. Additionally, no damage assessment or environmental impact report was available at the time of the statement.

UKMTO has advised vessels to navigate the area cautiously and report any suspicious activity while authorities conduct investigations. The incident occurs amidst escalating tensions between Iran and the US concerning navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global energy and commodity supplies.

In recent months, tensions have heightened following a conflict in February between the US and Israel against Iran, which resulted in retaliatory attacks on Israel and US targets before a ceasefire was achieved in April. In June, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding regarding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, though implementation has been delayed due to disagreements over security in this strategic waterway.