Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Conflicting Claims Follow Attack on Oil Tanker Near Oman
A tanker called El Gaia was reportedly attacked near Oman on September 13.
A video appears to show thick black smoke rising from the ship.
The ship later had a fire in its engine room and was towed to Oman.
Iranian officials said the tanker hit a naval mine.
U.S. officials said Iran first hit it with a missile and then attacked it with a drone.
The two countries therefore gave different explanations.
Omani authorities said 23 crew members were evacuated and two were initially missing.
India said 13 Indian crew members were rescued and one Indian sailor was still missing.
Indian officials said they were helping search for the missing sailor.
A video appears to show the Panama-flagged, Qatar-owned El Gaia surrounded by thick black smoke.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the tanker struck a naval mine during an unauthorized transit.
U.S. Central Command said an Iranian missile hit the vessel before an Iranian drone attacked it.
The tanker was towed to an Omani port after a fire broke out in its engine room.
One Indian sailor remains missing, while 13 other Indian crew members were rescued, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
- Who
- The El Gaia’s crew, Iranian authorities, U.S. Central Command, Omani authorities, and India’s Ministry of External Affairs were involved in the reported incident and its response.
- What
- The oil tanker was reportedly attacked, caught fire, and was shown in a video surrounded by black smoke.
- When
- The attack was reported on September 13.
- Where
- The incident occurred approximately 103 nautical miles northeast of Musandam, off Oman; the tanker was later towed to an Omani port.
- Why
- The cause and sequence of the incident remain disputed: Iran cited a naval mine, while the United States alleged Iranian missile and drone attacks.
Iranian Account
U.S. Account
Cause of the incident
Iranian Account
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the tanker struck a naval mine while making an unauthorized transit.
U.S. Account
U.S. Central Command said the tanker was first hit by an Iranian missile and later attacked by an Iranian drone.
Interpretation of the evidence
Iranian Account
Iran’s account attributed the incident to the vessel’s contact with a mine.
U.S. Account
The United States rejected Iran’s explanation and accused the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of presenting a false account.
- Vessel
- El Gaia, a Panama-flagged, Qatar-owned oil tanker
- Location
- Approximately 103 nautical miles northeast of Musandam, off Oman
- Reported date
- September 13
- Damage
- A fire erupted in the tanker’s engine room
- Rescue report
- Omani authorities said 23 crew members were evacuated
- Missing sailors
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs said one Indian sailor remained missing
- Conflicting accounts
- Iran cited a naval mine; U.S. Central Command cited an Iranian missile followed by an Iranian drone