Image for representation purposes only The third engineer of Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Minoan Pioneer has gone missing after the ship was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. “A cargo vessel has broadcast on VHF 16 that they have been hit by an unknown projectile,” UKMTO stated. The attack occurred 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman’s Al Khasab at 22:00 hours UTC on August 3, 2026, after which authorities began an investigation into the incident. There was a complete blackout on the bulker after the attack, which targeted the engine room, while a fire also broke out in the accommodation area. The crew members tried to extinguish the fire themselves and later realised that the ship’s third engineer was nowhere to be found. Maritime security firm Vanguard Tech said the bulk carrier sent a distress call which was received by Panama-flagged tanker Surianame Prosperity. This attack comes after two near misses on tankers, namely the VLCC Egypt Prosperity and Aframax On Pride. Both ships reported explosions close to them but emerged unscathed. The incidents happened in Omani waters in the Strait of Hormuz. The latest attacks on ships in the strategic waterway came as U.S President Donald Trump said that talks with Iran were ongoing and that it was the Islamic Republic’s ‘last chance’ to end the war. Iran, on the other hand, has said that it is not negotiating with the U.S and instead is in talks with Oman to establish a temporary trade lane for shipping through Hormuz. Iranian media outlets reported that its military has struck a U.S base in Northern Kuwait, and videos of burning buildings are being posted on social media.