An explosion occurred near a tanker approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman, in the Strait of Hormuz, the UK Maritime Trade Operations centre confirmed on Monday. The vessel's crew reported hearing a blast in their immediate vicinity, but the ship and all personnel were declared safe. UKMTO did not specify the origin of the explosion.
The incident followed an announcement by Iran that it is close to reaching an agreement with Oman on a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiations over management of the strait were in their final stages. Spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told state television the deal does not amount to a reopening of the strait.
The blast report came just as the United States announced a pause on planned strikes against Iran.