Two devices, one fire

A small boat approached an outbound tanker in the Strait of Hormuz and attached two explosive devices to its hull above the waterline, according to a UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) update issued on 30 October 2026. The incident took place at about 22:12 UTC on 29 October, around 25 nautical miles north-east of Khasab, Oman.

The devices detonated, causing a fire in the engine room and temporarily disabling the vessel. The fire was later extinguished, the crew were reported safe, no environmental impact was reported, and the tanker resumed its voyage to its next port of call. UKMTO did not name the vessel; three maritime-security sources identified it to Reuters as the Panama-flagged crude tanker Louise 1.

A first since February, and a second attack

Reuters, via the sources cited, described this as the first known successful limpet-mine strike in the waterway since the US–Iran war began in February 2026, following an unsuccessful attempt in September. The attacker has not been identified or confirmed in any source checked.

In a separate attack the same day, at about 16:00 UTC on 29 October, around 12 nautical miles north-east of Khasab, an unidentified tanker was struck by an unknown projectile, UKMTO reported. No crew injuries or environmental impact were reported, and the tanker’s identity and the extent of damage remain unclear. A Navarea IX warning issued at 03:00 UTC on 30 October named a Panama-flagged tanker, Riti, as on fire and anchored near Ra’s Tahir, Oman, but did not disclose the cause or explicitly connect it to either UKMTO incident.

India’s minister for ports, shipping and waterways was reported as saying the Louise 1 was carrying 27 Indian sailors, all well and uninjured. Claims by Iran’s IRGC, via Fars, that tankers were “stopped” or hit mines have not been independently verified and are not presented here as fact.

Sources: Riviera Maritime Media | Assafina Online