Sailor Missing After Attack on Tanker Near Strait of Hormuz

London, August 4: A commercial vessel, the ‘Minoan Pioneer,’ flagged under Liberia, was attacked by a projectile while passing near the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman on Tuesday. Following the assault, all crew members were forced to abandon the ship, but one sailor remains missing.

According to the British maritime security firm Vanguard, the projectile struck the engine room, igniting a fire onboard. The ship’s third engineer has been reported missing.

As reported by the Xinhua News Agency, a tanker passing nearby indicated that the ship experienced a blackout after the attack, rendering it completely immobilized.

British media sources, citing information related to the incident, stated that after extinguishing the fire and calling for external assistance, the crew evacuated the vessel.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued a warning late Monday, indicating that the incident occurred approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of Al Khasab, Oman, as the ship entered the Strait of Hormuz.

UKMTO received a report from military officials at 2200 GMT on Monday, stating that the cargo ship had reported an attack by an unknown projectile via VHF radio.

Shipping information reveals that the ‘Minoan Pioneer’ is a bulk carrier operated by a Greek company under a Liberian flag.

UKMTO has advised vessels transiting the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activities to the agency.

In recent weeks, tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated, leading UKMTO to report several maritime security incidents, most of which have occurred near the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei stated on Monday that discussions between Iran and Oman focus on establishing a “temporary” route to ensure safe shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

During a weekly press conference in Tehran, Baghaei noted that the talks emphasize a southern route through Omani waters and a northern route through Iranian territory, aiming to create a middle passage.

He added that the discussions center on a round-trip corridor rather than multiple separate routes, and this middle route will be used temporarily until a permanent solution is established.