Oman’s Maritime Security Centre (MSC) has issued a navigation warning after a floating object suspected to be a naval mine was sighted in Omani territorial waters near the Strait of Hormuz.
The object was reported west of the Inshore Traffic Zone, with a NAVAREA IX warning placing the sighting at position 26-24.3N 056-20.6E. The area lies along routes increasingly used by vessels hugging the Omani coastline while departing the Strait to avoid potential interference.
The MSC urged ships, fishermen and other maritime users to exercise extreme caution, keep a safe distance from suspicious objects and immediately report any sightings to authorities.
The warning follows a recent announcement by US Central Command stating that American forces struck two Iranian boats allegedly attempting to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz on May 25. US naval forces have since warned that mine-related threats and interference with clearance operations remain a concern.
Shipping advisory bodies have recommended avoiding the main Traffic Separation Scheme where possible and coordinating transits with naval guidance services operating in the region.The latest incident adds to mounting uncertainty over navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, where commercial traffic remains well below normal levels amid regional tensions, security concerns and ongoing debate over future transit arrangements.
Credit: REUTERS
