Blaze Erupts on Trio of Vessels at a Key Global Maritime Crossroads

Image Credits: OSINTdefender/X

A recent publication by Republic World indicates that at least three vessels may be ablaze in the Gulf of Oman, not far from the Strait of Hormuz and close to Iranian territorial waters. This incident unfolds against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.

Social media reports and satellite imagery have revealed significant flames approximately 22 nautical miles off Khor Fakkan’s coast in the UAE. Ambrey, a maritime security firm based in the UK, acknowledged an “incident” involving a ship in that vicinity but has yet to clarify its cause.Ambrey informed Reuters that this occurrence does not appear to stem from any security threats or ongoing regional disputes. Though, thay did not provide additional details during their initial report.

Data from NASA’s Fire Facts for Resource Management System (FIRMS) corroborated these observations, identifying three active fire zones in the area on Tuesday. Notably, these fires had not been detected on previous days, hinting at their recent emergence possibly linked to this maritime event.

Reports suggest that these three vessels are likely oil tankers engulfed in flames near Iran’s coastline within the Gulf of Oman.

NASA’s FIRMS has picked up heat signatures indicating fires at multiple locations… pic.twitter.com/1rEa79sUuw

— The Informant (@theinformant_x) June 17, 2025

Images shared across social platforms depict towering flames and thick smoke billowing over the water. Some users assert these visuals show burning ships or tankers near Iranian waters; however, such claims remain unverified independently.

As of early Tuesday morning, there has been no official comment from either Iranian authorities or officials from the United Arab Emirates regarding these reports. The Khor Fakkan container terminal and Emirati foreign ministry have also remained silent on this matter.

The Strait of Hormuz is crucial for global oil transportation; it serves as a passageway for about 20% of worldwide oil supply—roughly between 17.8 million to 20.8 million barrels daily—according to insights provided by energy analytics firm Vortexa.

On June 13th, Israel conducted airstrikes targeting various sites within Iran including nuclear facilities and military command centers with aims purportedly focused on halting Iran’s potential nuclear weapon advancement efforts.

In contrast, Iran maintains it has no plans for nuclear armament while previously threatening to obstruct access through the Strait of Hormuz if faced with increased Western pressure.