A cargo ship was reportedly struck in the Strait of Hormuz as Iran and Oman negotiate control over the vital waterway.
New Attack in the Strait of Hormuz: Cargo Ship Allegedly Struck
While discussions continue between Iran and Oman regarding the control of the Strait of Hormuz, a new attack occurred off the coast of the Musandam Peninsula, which is heavily trafficked by vessels.
According to reports, at around 22:00 on August 3, the crew of an unnamed cargo ship reported via the VHF emergency channel that their vessel had been struck by an unidentified object. The incident reportedly took place at the midpoint of the 'neutral' Omani transit route in the strait, approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of Khasab.
It was noted that this was the second incident in the region within the last 24 hours, as just a day earlier, an unnamed tanker navigating the same area narrowly escaped an attack due to an explosion nearby. The tanker captain reported hearing an explosion, but it was stated that there was no damage to the vessel and it continued its voyage safely.
Experts point out that similar kinetic attacks that have previously occurred in this section of the Strait of Hormuz are believed to be sourced from Iran. The Iranian government argues that the Omani coastal route in the strait undermines its administrative control, while hardline factions claim a sovereign right to monitor maritime traffic passing through the strait.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that Iran and Oman are continuing negotiations on a new administrative model for the management of the Strait of Hormuz. According to claims regarding the draft plan being prepared, vessels entering the strait will use the northern channel under Iranian control, while vessels exiting will use the route under Omani control. Additionally, it is anticipated that the revenue from the 'service fees' collected from the vessels will be shared equally between the two countries.
However, a U.S. official with knowledge of the negotiations has denied these claims, stating that the proposed mechanism would only be temporary and that there are no plans to charge any fees to the vessels.
Conflicting statements regarding the future of diplomatic contacts between Iran and the U.S. are also drawing attention. U.S. President Donald Trump claims that an agreement between the parties is close, while the Iranian government denies allegations that official negotiations are ongoing with Washington.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry has emphasized that the discussions with Oman are solely focused on creating a route that will ensure safe maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting that the process is a bilateral matter between the two coastal states.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
