Explosion reported near tanker off Oman coast; crew safe, says UKMTO

Muscat: The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Sunday reported an explosion in close proximity to a tanker off the coast of Oman, adding that all crew members and the vessel are safe.

According to the UKMTO, the incident occurred around 20 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman. Maritime authorities have launched an investigation into the explosion, while vessels transiting the area have been advised to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity immediately.

The incident comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions surrounding the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiations between Tehran and Muscat over the management of the Strait of Hormuz were nearing completion.

Updating Iran's Cabinet on the discussions, Araghchi said the talks were progressing rapidly.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei later said an agreement with Oman on a revised shipping lane was close.

"We are now going to reach an understanding on a route acceptable to both sides, neither the northern route nor the southern route, but one that respects the sovereign rights of both sides and safeguards our national interests and security."

Baqaei, however, clarified that such an agreement would not automatically result in the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The latest maritime security scare follows weeks of heightened tensions after Iran restricted shipping through a channel close to its coastline, prompting military strikes last month. Maritime intelligence firm Kpler reported on Friday that vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped sharply.

The developments also coincide with US President Donald Trump's announcement that the United States and Israel have agreed to defer planned military strikes on Iran while diplomatic efforts continue.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said negotiations with Iran would begin on Monday afternoon.

"We are talking to them [the Iranians] in the form of a negotiation; it begins tomorrow afternoon, and we'll see how it goes. I'd love to do that. It'll save a lot of lives, a lot of unnecessary power, to be honest with you. We are ready to go whenever we want. Would I rather make a deal? I'm not looking to kill people, because a lot of people die; we don't want that. So they asked us, Iran specifically, but the other three, they asked us."

Trump also said diplomatic engagements involving Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iran had persuaded Washington to cancel a planned military strike.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "We have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the parameters of a deal have been agreed to."

He added, "Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL."

Iranian state media, however, denied claims that Tehran had requested a pause in US military action.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most critical energy corridors, carrying a significant share of global oil and gas shipments. Trump said any final agreement must include the:

"Immediate, Complete and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran's nuclear threat".

While Western nations maintain that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons capability, Tehran continues to insist that its nuclear programme is intended solely for peaceful civilian purposes.