Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claims to have struck navigation equipment on Oman’s Didamar Island, raising concerns about maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, though Omani officials dispute the extent of the damage.
Iran has announced that its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) conducted a strike on Didamar Island, a small Omani island located in the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian government claims the attack targeted navigation infrastructure used by oil tankers, asserting that the systems were aiding vessels in transiting the strait without Tehran’s authorization.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on November 8, has raised alarms regarding the safety of maritime infrastructure critical for oil shipments in the Gulf. According to Iranian state media, the IRGC targeted the island’s navigation systems, alleging that personnel and equipment present were facilitating oil smuggling operations by what they termed “the enemy.”
Video footage released by Reuters showed smoke rising from the rocky outcrop, which is also known as Little Quoin Island. However, Omani officials have disputed the claims, stating that there was no significant damage from the reported strike.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has noted that while Iranian state media claimed responsibility for the attack on November 10, commercial vessels continued to navigate the southern route through the Strait of Hormuz without interruption. The extent of the damage remains unclear, with ISW highlighting that the ongoing use of the route suggests the impact may not be as severe as claimed.
Satellite imagery from the European Union’s Copernicus Sentinel-2 program, dated November 8, indicated scorch marks near radar and radio equipment on Didamar Island, further complicating the narrative surrounding the attack.
This strike comes amid heightened tensions in the region, as U.S. forces have been actively escorting commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Navy had implemented a blockade of Iranian ports in April, following Iran’s closure of the strait in February. Although the blockade was briefly lifted in June, it was reinstated in July due to escalating hostilities.
Shipping companies have been advised to utilize a southern route through Omani territorial waters, which are outside of Tehran’s direct military control and overseen by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). This latest incident on Didamar Island is particularly sensitive, given its location and the ongoing efforts of Gulf oil exporters to restore shipments disrupted by the conflict.
Despite the tensions, regional oil exports have reportedly rebounded to over 80% of prewar levels in September and October, aided by CENTCOM’s presence and increased Saudi exports through the Red Sea. Shipping companies have also been relying on offshore tanker-to-tanker transfers near Oman and the United Arab Emirates to maintain oil flow.
Didamar Island, which is uninhabited and roughly 10 nautical miles north of Oman’s Musandam Peninsula, has historically served as a navigational landmark for vessels traversing the strait. The island features maritime infrastructure, including a radar system mounted on a 25-meter tower and radio communications equipment designed to assist vessels navigating the narrow passage. It has also been associated with the Hormuz Control Centre, which coordinates maritime traffic in the area.
The reported attack on Didamar Island follows a series of U.S. military operations against Iranian targets in the region. On November 2, U.S. forces struck targets on Iran’s Qeshm Island, describing the strikes as defensive actions aimed at neutralizing Iranian surface-to-air missile threats. Qeshm Island is home to Iranian naval facilities and military infrastructure linked to the IRGC.
President Donald Trump acknowledged on November 6 that American forces continue to conduct limited strikes against Iranian targets, although he refrained from providing specific details. When asked about the strikes near Qeshm Island, he stated, “I don’t want to talk about it. We do minor strikes. They built a little bit of an anti-aircraft device, and we knocked it out in about 15 minutes, maybe five.”
The situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains precarious, with both Iranian and U.S. military actions contributing to an increasingly volatile environment. As tensions continue to escalate, the implications for maritime security and oil shipments in the region are significant, warranting close observation.
According to Reuters, the ongoing conflict and military operations have far-reaching consequences for regional stability and international shipping routes.