Two Tankers Face Attacks Near Strait of Hormuz

Two oil tankers came under attack near the Strait of Hormuz and off Oman's coast on Sunday, according to Argus, which cited ship-tracking data and India's shipping minister. One vessel carrying Iraqi crude caught fire after being struck by an unidentified projectile, leaving two sailors missing, while a second tanker was hit by a drone.

The attacks add to growing security risks for commercial vessels navigating a critical international shipping route. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations organization had previously reported the drone attack on the second vessel, a product carrier.

India's shipping minister said the first vessel was a Suezmax tanker loaded with Iraqi crude that had departed on October 8. An unidentified projectile struck the ship and sparked a fire on board, with two crew members still missing at the time of the report.

India's Ministry of External Affairs called for an end to hostilities and urged the parties involved to pursue a diplomatic solution.

"India reiterates the need for immediate de-escalation and a resolution to the ongoing conflict through dialogue and diplomacy," India's foreign ministry said.

The ministry also emphasized the need to protect commercial vessels, maritime workers and civilian infrastructure as tensions threaten shipping operations through international waters.

"Attacks on commercial vessels, seafarers and civilian infrastructure must cease. Freedom of navigation and the safe, unimpeded flow of maritime commerce through international waterways, in accordance with international law, must be upheld," India's foreign ministry said.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran has intensified attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz over the past couple of weeks, according to the source report. The targeted vessels were attempting to transit the waterway with their navigation and identification systems switched off, using a southern corridor near Oman's coast.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy has been striking vessels linked to Iran, adding another dimension to the security challenges facing maritime traffic in the region. Iranian state media reported a warning from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy regarding vessels that disable their identification systems.

"All ships within the limits of the Strait of Hormuz that turn off their navigation and identification systems will be identified as hostile and will be dealt with severely and decisively," the IRGC's Navy forces said in a statement, as reported by Iranian state media.

The latest maritime incidents come amid developments involving a proposed energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, announced by President Trump over the weekend. Neither Russia nor Ukraine had confirmed the arrangement, while Axios subsequently reported that the proposal was narrower in scope and focused exclusively on refineries.

Oil prices were trading higher than $103 per barrel for Brent crude and above $90 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate following the ceasefire news, according to the source report.