Iran Claims Attacks on Oman Island and Oil Tankers in Strait of Hormuz
Iran claims attacks on Oman’s Didamar Island and two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, raising tensions in the region.
2 min read
Iranian forces have claimed to have attacked navigational systems on Oman’s Didamar Island in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the United States of using the facilities for oil smuggling. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy reportedly targeted the island, which is also known as Little Quoin Island, on November 8, according to state-run Fars News Agency. The attack was allegedly conducted because the facilities were helping ships transit the strait without permission from Tehran.
Didamar Island and Its Strategic Importance
Didamar Island, whose name means ‘daughter’ in a local tribal dialect, is home to a radio tower, a marine radar tower, and a historic lighthouse built in 1914. The island is part of a navigational safety network maintained by Arabian Maritime and Navigation Aids Services (AMNAS), which operates under an exclusive charter from the Sultan of Oman. The facility is known as the Hormuz Control Center in Oman and is staffed by members of the Oman Royal Navy.
Reuters reported that shipping industry sources confirmed the attack on Didamar, although they noted the damage would have a limited impact on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, as alternative navigational aids are available. Video footage and satellite images showed smoke and heat blooms on the island, but no official damage estimates have been provided by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) or the government of Oman.
Uncertainty Over Iran’s Claims
The Maritime Executive expressed some uncertainty about Iran’s claims, suggesting that the smoke seen in the footage could have originated from damaged oil tankers nearby rather than the island itself. A senior Omani official told the Maritime Executive that the island had not been attacked, and none of its navigational facilities were damaged. The Sultanate of Oman has not publicly denounced the Iranian attacks or violations of its sovereignty, a contrast to previous responses to similar incidents.
Iran’s IRGC also claimed that two oil tankers ‘exploded after hitting naval mines’ while attempting to use an ‘unauthorized route’ through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the IRGC did not identify the tankers involved, and there has been no independent confirmation of the incident. Meanwhile, the U.S. military continues to enforce a naval blockade against Iran and prevent the movement of advanced weapons and materials through the region, according to CENTCOM.
Source: Breitbart
