Omani authorities issued an alert Saturday, warning vessels to exercise caution after an “object suspected to be a floating mine” was spotted in the Strait of Hormuz.
The floating object was reported west of the Inshore Traffic Zone in the Strait of Hormuz within Omani territorial sea, Oman’s Maritime Security Center said in a post on X.
It called on all sea users to exercise caution, stating: “The Maritime Security Center urges all sea users – fishermen, ships, and boats – to exercise the utmost caution and vigilance while navigating, following the detection of a floating object suspected to be a sea mine west of the coastal traffic area in the Strait of Hormuz, within Omani territorial waters.”
The Maritime Security Center advised fishermen, boats, and vessels to keep a safe distance from any suspicious objects and report them immediately to the relevant authorities.
“The center also called for avoiding approaching any suspicious objects and immediately reporting them to the competent authorities to take the necessary measures,” the statement said.
A post from Oman’s ministry of defence said to exercise the utmost caution while navigating in the area, following the sighting of a floating object suspected to be a floating mine west of the Inshore Traffic Zone in the Strait of Hormuz within Omani territorial sea.
It also urged all maritime users to keep a safe distance from any suspicious objects and report them immediately to the relevant authorities.
The alert comes as the Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC) maintained that the threat level in the Strait of Hormuz remains “critical” due to blockade operations.
An advisory circulated on May 29 by the UK Maritime Trade Operations on X warned that “Mariners should expect increased naval presence, enhanced force protection postures, potential VHF hailing, and congestion near anchorage areas.”
Security concerns in the waterway have intensified in recent months amid heightened regional tensions and increased military activity.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said he had a “productive call” with his Omani counterpart Badr Albusaidi in a statement released on Friday.
This comes after US president Donald Trump has been criticising Oman in recent days, threatening to “blow up” the nation if it attempts to work with Tehran to jointly manage the Strait of Hormuz.
Araghchi, while posting about the meeting on X, said, “In very productive call with FM Badr Albusaidi, expressed Iran’s solidarity with Oman in face of any threat. We discussed Hormuz and its future administration in line with our sovereign responsibilities and international law. We welcome consultation with all neighboring states.”
Trump has repeatedly insisted that “nobody’s going to control” the vital Strait of Hormuz waterway. Last week, he again stressed that Hormuz would remain open to all countries. “No, the Strait is going to be open to everybody. It’s international waters,” Trump told reporters during a Cabinet meeting at the White House. “We’ll watch over it.”
