Home / War and Conflict / Armed boats shadow vessel near Hormuz Strait
Armed boats shadow vessel near Hormuz Strait
3 Feb
Summary
- Vessel approached by armed boats 16 nautical miles north of Oman.
- The incident occurred within the Strait of Hormuz Traffic Separation Scheme.
- Iran has seized three vessels near the Strait of Hormuz since 2023.
An incident involving a vessel and armed boats occurred recently, approximately 16 nautical miles north of Oman. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations confirmed the event and is actively investigating the circumstances. The encounter took place within the inbound Traffic Separation Scheme of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil transit.
Numerous small, armed vessels attempted to make radio contact with the targeted ship, issuing commands to stop. However, the vessel disregarded these demands and proceeded along its intended path. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and is a crucial artery for oil exports from OPEC nations like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the UAE.
This event highlights ongoing maritime security concerns in the region. Iran has previously seized three vessels near or within the strait, with two seizures occurring in 2023 and one in 2024. These seizures have sometimes followed U.S. actions involving tankers related to Iran.
