Three Tankers Struck in Separate Incidents in the Strait of Hormuz on July 7

STRAIT OF HORMUZ — United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued two warnings on July 7 reporting attacks on tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The Joint Maritime Information Center Update 068 listed three incidents on July 7, and raised the regional threat level for the Strait of Hormuz to SEVERE.

UKMTO Warning 081-26 Incident

UKMTO Warning 081-26, dated July 7, with source listed as Third Party, stated that a tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an unidentified projectile and sustained structural damage. No casualties or environmental impact were reported.

UKMTO continues to investigate the incident. The warning advised vessels to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.

UKMTO Warning 082-26 Incident

UKMTO Warning 082-26, also issued July 7, described a further incident in which a tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an unknown unmanned aerial vehicle and sustained minor structural damage.

No casualties or environmental impact were reported, and the vessel continued to its next port of call. UKMTO continues to investigate. The same advisory to transit with caution and report suspicious activity applied, with identical contact information.

JMIC Update 068 Listed Incidents

Joint Maritime Information Center Update 068, covering the period through July 7, listed three maritime security incidents on that date in the Middle East Maritime Region.

The update raised the Strait of Hormuz threat level to SEVERE on the basis of these events. The incidents involved a liquefied natural gas tanker struck by an unknown projectile on the port side engine room, causing a fire while traveling southbound through the Strait of Hormuz approximately 5 nautical miles east of Limah, Oman; a very large crude carrier struck by an unknown projectile on the port side upon exiting the Strait of Hormuz approximately 10 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, with the vessel proceeding to its next port of call and no crew injuries reported; and a tanker struck by an unknown projectile that caused minor structural damage approximately 6 nautical miles east of the Musandam Peninsula, Oman, with the vessel proceeding to its next port of call and no casualties or environmental impact reported.

The update noted that Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacks, hailing, unmanned aerial system activity, and targeted surveillance continued throughout the period.

Navigation area IX warnings for suspected and identified floating mines remained in effect near the Traffic Separation Scheme. Global navigation satellite system interference persisted at consistent levels.

Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained steady via both the southern Omani corridor and the northern Iranian-controlled route, with United States-assisted transits proceeding without interruption.

Additional Reporting on Vessel Identification and Attribution

Qatari authorities stated the affected vessel was the liquefied natural gas tanker Al Rekayyat. A recorded mayday call from the vessel’s captain stated the ship was hit by a drone on the port side at the top of the engine room, with status reported as engine room fire and full of smoke, and damage unassessable at the time.

Qatari authorities described the incident as an unacceptable attack on the security of international navigation and global energy supplies and a clear violation of international law.

No public comments from United States Central Command or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps specifically addressing the July 7 incidents were identified at time of reporting.

Official Statements

• UKMTO Warning 081-26, July 7: “UKMTO has received a report of an incident involving a tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile and is believed to have structural damage. No casualties or environmental impact reported. UKMTO continues to investigate. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.”

• UKMTO Warning 082-26, July 7: “UKMTO has received a report of a further incident involving a tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker was struck by an unknown Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and has sustained minor structural damage. No casualties or environmental impact reported, and vessel is continuing to its next port of call. UKMTO continues to investigate. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.”

• Joint Maritime Information Center Update 068, July 7: “The three incidents reported this period UKMTO 080-26, UKMTO 081-26 and UKMTO 082-26 (full details in the Confirmed Maritime Security Incidents List) resulted in an increase in the Strait of Hormuz threat level to SEVERE. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacks, hailing, unmanned aerial system activity, and targeted surveillance continued throughout the period, indicating sustained monitoring of commercial shipping and a continued intent to assert presence across key transit lanes.”

• No verbatim official statements from United States Central Command, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or the Iranian government specifically addressing the July 7 incidents were identified in available sources at time of reporting.