Vessel Catches Fire in Strait of Hormuz Near Oman, Cause Unknown

London (ANTARA) - A vessel caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz near Oman, with the cause yet to be confirmed, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on Sunday evening. According to UKMTO, the incident was reported approximately 8 nautical miles northwest of Kumzar, Oman. The agency stated it had received information from military authorities that a ship was on fire. The cause of the fire has not been verified, and authorities are investigating the incident, UKMTO said. Vessels have been advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO. A seafarer provided exclusive recordings of public maritime radio communications to Xinhua early Monday (20/7), indicating that the US military made several radio calls to confirm the situation of the vessel involved but received no response. Kumzar is located at the northern tip of Oman, near the southern entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. Following a memorandum of understanding reached between the United States and Iran in June 2026, two transit routes were established in the Strait of Hormuz, with the northern route controlled by Iran and the southern route near Oman. The US military has been providing navigational assistance on the southern route. Several commercial vessels have recently been attacked near the southern route, heightening maritime security concerns.