Tanker off Oman reports explosion near vessel — monitor

The master of a tanker off Oman reported hearing an explosion near the vessel, according to UKMTO. The vessel and crew are safe. The incident occurred 20 nautical miles northeast of Khasab. This comes as Iran said it was nearing a deal with Oman over a new route through the Strait of Hormuz.

The master of a tanker off the coast of Oman reported hearing an explosion near the vessel, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre. The incident occurred 20 nautical miles (37 kilometers) northeast of Khasab, Oman. The UKMTO stated that the vessel and crew are safe, and advised vessels to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity. The report comes as Iran said on Sunday it was nearing a deal with Oman over a new route through the Strait of Hormuz, hours after the US called off major strikes to allow for diplomacy. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told state television that a deal was close with Oman, but insisted that such an agreement did not mean the reopening of the strait.