Oman Navy Evacuates 23 From Tanker After Gulf of Oman Engine Room Fire
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Sep 15
Oman Navy Evacuates 23 From Tanker After Gulf of Oman Engine Room Fire
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Sep 15
Summary
23 people were evacuated Tuesday from a Panama-flagged oil tanker after an engine room fire erupted in the Gulf of Oman, just east of the Strait of Hormuz, Oman's Maritime Security Center said.
The vessel was being towed toward an Omani port when the fire broke out, and the MSC gave no further details on casualties, damage or the tanker’s cargo.
The incident hit a waterway already under heavy strain from the U.S.-Iran war, with Iran repeatedly attacking tankers it says used a U.S.-designated lane near Oman’s coast without coordinating with its military.
Broader shipping risks are also spreading beyond Hormuz, with Qatar warning that any closure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait after recent Houthi gains would be catastrophic for global trade.
The Human and Economic Toll of the 2026 Gulf Blockade: MT Settebello, Indian Seafarers, and Global Energy Flows
Overview
The Iran War erupted in February 2026, leading Tehran to close the Strait of Hormuz and disrupt 20% of global oil and gas supply. In response, the US launched a naval blockade of Iranian ports, which escalated tensions and caused commercial shipping through the strait to collapse by up to 95%. On June 10, 2026, the US military struck the MT Settebello, killing three Indian sailors and sparking outrage in India, diplomatic protests, and a political crisis. The blockade also triggered soaring shipping costs, massive vessel rerouting, and severe strain on India-US relations, highlighting the global impact of the conflict.