Tanker Hit by Hull Explosives in Strait of Hormuz as Brent Hits $117

A tanker caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday after explosive devices were attached to its hull, and Brent crude touched $117 a barrel in Asian trading, OilPrice reported citing the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The incident occurred roughly 25 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman, while the vessel was attempting an outbound transit.

What We Know

According to OilPrice’s account of the UKMTO report, a small boat approached the tanker on its port side and affixed two explosive devices above the waterline. The blasts started a fire in the engine room and temporarily disabled the ship.

UKMTO stated that the crew is safe and that there is no environmental impact. It also reported that the fire has been extinguished and that the vessel is continuing to its next port of call. No casualties have been reported.

Brent rose $2.67, or about 2.3 percent, to $117 per barrel in Asian trading, per the same OilPrice report. That is below the 4 percent threshold we treat as a market shock, so the incident, not the price move, is the news here.

What We Don’t Know

This is a developing story. The tanker’s name, flag and cargo have not been disclosed in the reporting available to us. No government or group has claimed responsibility, and no official has publicly attributed the attack. We are not assigning blame. OilPrice notes that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesman Hossein Mohebi recently disputed U.S. claims about mine-clearing operations and asserted regional control, but that statement is not linked to this incident by any source we have seen.

Context

The attack comes as Washington weighs its next move on Iran. Our earlier report on Hegseth firing a top planner as Trump weighs Iran strikes covers the current U.S. posture. A limpet-style attack on a commercial hull in the Hormuz shipping lane puts a new physical incident into an already tense diplomatic picture, with Al Jazeera describing mixed signals from both capitals.

Oil markets are also reacting to other supply pressure. OilPrice reports continued Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure, and Ukraine has resumed drone strikes on Russian refineries, as we covered in Russian oil refinery attacked as Ukraine resumes energy strikes.

What to Watch

1. Any attribution or claim of responsibility, and whether U.S. or Gulf officials respond publicly.
2. Further UKMTO advisories on Hormuz transits, and any insurer or shipper move to pause or reroute traffic.
3. Brent’s reaction when European and U.S. markets open, and whether the $117 level holds.

This story is developing and will be updated as confirmed details emerge.