On June 17, 2025, Iranian state-run Press TV reported that three ships had caught fire in the Gulf of Oman, near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The incident, recorded off the coast of Iran, was confirmed by data from NASA's FIRMS thermal anomaly monitoring system, which identified three active fires in the area. According to Reuters, British maritime security company Ambrey classified the incident as a "military risk" event, noting that it occurred 22 nautical miles east of the UAE city of Khor Fakkan. The cause of the fire and the identity of the ships remain unknown, fueling speculation amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.

The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean, is a key artery for global trade, handling about 20% of global oil supplies and up to 30% of liquefied natural gas, according to the BBC. Disruption to shipping in the area could send Brent crude prices to $110-$130 a barrel, a risk already partly reflected in the current rally. The incident with the ships coincides with an escalation in the Iran-Israel conflict, which began with Israel’s Operation Rising Lion on June 13, in which the IDF attacked Iranian nuclear and military facilities, including the Natanz complex, destroying 15 centrifuges, the IAEA said. Iran responded with massive missile strikes on Tel Aviv and Haifa, killing 000 people, according to The Times of Israel.

Although Press TV published photographs purportedly showing burning ships, their authenticity has not been confirmed, and Iranian authorities have not reported any possible attacks on the ships. Rumours of a collision between two oil tankers, one of which is linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” have circulated on social media, including on the X platform, but these reports remain unconfirmed.