UKMTO said Kaifan’s crew abandoned the Kuwaiti product tanker early Tuesday and were adrift in a lifeboat awaiting rescue after a distress call from the Strait of Hormuz.
At about 2010 UTC Monday, the vessel reported being hit by a drone or missile about 8 nautical miles northeast of Limah, Oman, triggering an engine room fire.
EOS Risk Group identified the ship as Kaifan and said the attack matched the pattern of the weekend strike on tanker Kavomaleas, another vessel hit in the same waterway.
The latest strike adds to attacks that have pushed Hormuz traffic near a standstill and sharply raised crew-risk premiums, with some sailors offered bonuses worth six times monthly pay.
Are America's Gulf allies seeking new protectors, signaling a historic power shift in the Middle East?
As America is drawn deeper into war with Iran, is China quietly winning a strategic victory in Asia?
With a peace deal dead, what is the ultimate price for reopening the world's most vital waterway?
Strait of Hormuz Shipping Collapses by 95% Amid US-Iran War: Global Energy and Security Fallout
Overview
In early July 2026, the fragile de-escalation agreement between the United States and Iran, signed on June 17 to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, quickly unraveled after a major strike just 20 days into the 60-day window. This collapse led to the breakdown of the interim deal and triggered a sharp escalation in hostilities, pushing both nations closer to all-out war. As a result, military actions intensified, shipping traffic nearly halted, and the risk of broader regional conflict grew, highlighting how the failure of diplomatic efforts can rapidly spiral into widespread crisis.