Blaze on tanker off Oman likely caused by US strike, analysts say

Published June 10, 2026 Updated June 10, 2026 07:17pm

Two seamen remain missing ⁠after a suspected US missile strike on a tanker off the coast of Oman, Al Jazeera reports.

“This was likely the result of US operations to blockade Iranian ports,” British maritime ⁠security group Ambrey says. “In the past, crews have been warned to gather on the bow of a vessel before an attack on the stern.”

A second unnamed security source also tells Reuters that the vessel ⁠is likely to have been hit by a US missile.

There were 24 Indian sailors out of a crew of 28 aboard, an Indian government source tells Reuters, and Indian officials are trying to establish if the two missing seafarers are from ‌India.

The ship iss a Palau-flagged chemical-oil products tanker that reported an engine room fire 37 kilometres northeast of Oman’s port of Sohar, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency says.