Explosion in the Gulf of Oman
Details are emerging of an explosion yesterday on a vessel at 24°23N 058°33E, 44nm NW of Muscat.
Dryad Global reports that the vehicle carrier MV Helios Ray (IMO9690547) has suffered an explosion in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel was en route from Dammam, Saudi Arabia to Singapore. The explosion occurred 44nm NW Muscat. There are no reports of any casualties and the vessel is returning to port.
Although details are few, Dryad says it remains a “realistic possibility” that the explosion was the result of activity by the Iranian military. Tensions are high in the region and Iran has previously shown willingness to exercise “forceful diplomacy”.
MV Helios Ray is owned by Helios Ltd., an Israeli company registered in the Isle of Man. Relations between Iran and Israel remain severely strained, especially after the recent rapprochement between the Biden-led US and Iran. There have also been reports of joint Israeli and Saudi efforts to counter Iranian influence in the Gulf, which may have added to the region’s volatile political mix.
