Earlier, British maritime security company Vanguard Tech said the Palau-flagged tanker Settebello had "transmitted a distress call stating that its engine room had been struck by a missile while operating off Sohar in the Gulf of Oman" and that there was a fire onboard.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency later reported an incident 20 nautical miles northeast of Sohar in Oman.

"Local authorities have reported a tanker has experienced a fire in their engine room and are on the scene assisting with the evacuation of the crew," it said.

"The vessel is reporting 1 casualty and 2 crew members missing. No environment impact reported," it added.