| HEADLINE |
|
Missile strikes container ship near Pakistan coast in Gulf of Oman
Published : Wednesday, 12 August, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Observer Online Report
A Panama-flagged container ship was reportedly struck by a missile in the Gulf of Oman, around 71 nautical miles off the coast of Pakistan, according to Reuters, citing maritime security sources.
The incident involving the vessel Vela Nova has raised questions over whether the ongoing conflict involving Iran is spilling further into the region. However, it remains unclear who carried out the reported missile attack.
The Gulf of Oman lies along Pakistan’s southwestern coast and connects the Arabian Sea with the Strait of Hormuz. It is also an important maritime and strategic waterway near key Pakistani ports, including Gwadar.
The British maritime organisation Vanguard and a maritime security source separately told Reuters that the *Vela Nova* came under attack while sailing about 71 nautical miles from Pakistan’s coast.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it received a report of an incident involving a container ship in the Gulf of Oman at 7:15am UTC on August 11.
UKMTO did not identify the vessel, its flag, the military forces involved or the nature of the incident. It said authorities were aware of the situation and an investigation was underway.
The organisation also advised vessels operating in the area to exercise caution due to the changing security situation.
The incident comes amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States. Pakistan, which borders Iran, had sought to mediate in the conflict, but the effort did not produce a result.
Iran has also carried out attacks targeting US bases in Iran’s neighbouring countries, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has entered into a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey. The development has drawn attention amid discussions over relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran and wider regional security.
Against this backdrop, the reported missile strike on a vessel near Pakistan’s coast has raised further concerns over the security situation in the Gulf of Oman.
SKS
Loading...
Loading...
Also read
Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
