A tanker was struck by an unknown projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting persistent threats to commercial shipping despite ongoing mine-clearance operations and regional efforts to restore safer navigation.

UK Maritime Trade Operations issued Warning 121-26 after local authorities reported the incident near Khasab, Oman. The strike occurred at 1730 UTC on August 25.

The Joint Maritime Information Center identified the vessel as AL SALAM II. The tanker was travelling eastbound through the Strait when the projectile hit its hull just above the waterline, opening a small hole and starting a fire. The crew extinguished the blaze, and all personnel were reported safe. No environmental impact was reported.

Tug assistance was expected, while the vessel subsequently anchored around 0.8 nautical miles northwest of Jazirat Tawakkul, according to JMIC.

The incident came as US President Donald Trump posted an image on Truth Social on August 26 declaring “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED 2026” in Iran, without providing further explanation. A day earlier, Trump said the US Navy had removed or detonated all mines from international waters in the Strait of Hormuz.

JMIC, however, said the danger from drifting or uncharted mines remains in and around the Strait’s Traffic Separation Scheme. Mine danger areas are still active, while clearance and survey operations continue across Hormuz.

Iran and Oman are also advancing a phased framework intended to support the restoration of safe navigation. Their proposal includes a temporary joint navigation corridor through the Strait and a joint mine-clearing project. Technical negotiations are expected to continue on a permanent corridor and the future administration of the waterway, including information exchange, traffic management, and navigational and security services.

The proposed arrangements reflect provisions in a US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed in June, which called for discussions between Iran and Oman on maritime services and the future administration of Hormuz.

Talks are also broadening to include other Gulf states. Qatar and Iran discussed the framework during an August 27 visit to Tehran by Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. The discussions covered the proposed temporary Iran-Oman corridor and efforts to restore navigation following six months of war and disruption to commercial shipping.

Traffic through the Strait remains substantially below normal levels. JMIC placed the historical average at about 138 vessels per day in 2025. US data recorded 37 US-facilitated transits across August 25 and 26, while separate tracking information continued to indicate heavily reduced non-facilitated commercial movements.

JMIC expects traffic to remain suppressed on both the northern route controlled by Iran and the southern corridor through Omani waters, citing vessel attacks, continuing US blockade enforcement and elevated regional tensions.