The explosives were attached to the hull of the tanker before the small craft moved away. The explosion caused a fire in the engine room, temporarily disabling the vessel. However, the crew managed to extinguish the fire, allowing the tanker to resume its journey. All crew members aboard the vessel are safe.
Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also confirmed the attack, stating that all Indian crew members aboard the tanker were safe. The United Kingdom's maritime security agency, UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), said the incident occurred 46 km northeast of Khasab, Oman.
The attack marks the first successful use of limpet mines in the region since the latest conflict began. Reuters reported that two limpet mines were attached to the hull of MT LOUSE 1 by a small craft, which subsequently moved away from the vessel.
A previous attempt to carry out a limpet mine attack took place in September, but it failed when the device did not explode. Limpet mines are relatively inexpensive and readily available. Attaching them to a ship's hull using small craft is considered a low-cost and effective method of targeting vessels and does not require extensive technical expertise.
The incident followed another attack on an oil tanker a day earlier, on October 29. The Liberia-flagged very large crude carrier MD ARZANAH was struck by a projectile. Two Indian nationals were aboard the vessel at the time, but both sailors were reported safe and did not sustain any injuries.
The attacks have raised concerns over the safety of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow maritime passage that serves as a critical route for global oil supplies. Around one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes through this strategic chokepoint.
Following the war involving the United States and Israel, which began in February, Iran blocked shipping through the route. Tehran has maintained that no vessel can pass through the Strait of Hormuz without its approval. The latest attacks on MT LOUSE 1 and MD ARZANAH have further highlighted the security risks facing vessels operating in the strategically important waterway.
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