The British military issued a warning on Saturday regarding a potential boarding incident involving a vessel near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations released a statement without providing specific details about the incident, which reportedly took place in the Gulf of Oman off the Emirati port city of Fujairah.
This development occurs against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Iran and Western nations, particularly following a suspected Israeli attack on the Iranian Consulate in Syria. While Iran has not officially confirmed any vessel seizure, state media outlets have not reported on the alleged boarding incident. However, Iran has been linked to a series of ship seizures and attacks on vessels since 2019, amid ongoing disputes with Western powers over its nuclear program.
The Gulf of Oman, situated near the Strait of Hormuz, serves as a critical passageway for approximately one-fifth of the world's oil shipments. Fujairah, located on the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates, functions as a key port in the region for vessels to load new oil cargo, acquire supplies, and conduct crew changes.
In recent years, the waters off Fujairah have witnessed a spate of explosions and hijackings. The U.S. Navy has attributed limpet mine attacks on tankers in the area to Iran, further exacerbating tensions in the region.
