Fact Check: British maritime security firm Ambrey reported an incident 22 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates, near the Strait of Hormuz.

Fact Check: "British maritime security firm Ambrey reported an incident 22 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates, near the Strait of Hormuz."

What We Know

On June 17, 2025, British maritime security firm Ambrey confirmed awareness of an incident occurring approximately 22 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan, UAE, near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. This information was reported by multiple news outlets, including News18 and Reuters. The incident involved three ships that were reportedly on fire, which coincided with heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, as both nations were engaged in military actions at the time. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime route through which about a fifth of the world's oil supply passes, making any incidents in this area particularly significant (News18, Reuters).

Ambrey specified that the cause of the incident was not security-related, indicating that it may not be linked to the ongoing military tensions in the region (Reuters, Times of Israel). Additionally, NASA's Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) Map corroborated reports of fires in the Gulf of Oman, further supporting the claims of the incident (News18).

Analysis

The claim that Ambrey reported an incident near Khor Fakkan is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The initial report from Ambrey was echoed by Reuters and Times of Israel, both of which are reputable news organizations known for their journalistic integrity. The consistency across these reports lends credibility to the assertion that an incident did occur as described.

However, it is important to note that while Ambrey confirmed the incident, they also clarified that it was not security-related. This distinction is crucial, especially in the context of the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, which has heightened scrutiny of maritime activities in the region. The lack of independent verification of the incident's details, as noted by News18, suggests that while the incident is reported, the specifics surrounding it may still be unclear.

The reliability of the sources reporting on this incident is generally high, as they are established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. However, the potential for bias exists, particularly in the context of geopolitical tensions, which may influence how events are framed.

Conclusion

Verdict: True

The claim that British maritime security firm Ambrey reported an incident 22 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan in the UAE, near the Strait of Hormuz, is true. This conclusion is based on multiple credible reports confirming the incident, along with the acknowledgment from Ambrey that it occurred in the specified location. The clarification that the incident was not security-related adds nuance to the report but does not undermine the factual basis of the claim.

Sources

1. UK maritime firm says incident east of UAE's Khor Fakkan not security ...
2. UK's Ambrey says maritime incident near Strait of Hormuz not security ...
3. 3 Ships On Fire In UAE Waters Amid Israel-Iran Tensions ... - News18
4. Ships collide off UAE coast near Strait of Hormuz, sources say
5. Maritime incident reported near the Strait of Hormuz
6. Collision Involving Tankers Reported Off UAE's Khor Fakkan
7. UAE coast guard evacuates 24 people from oil tanker ...
8. Three ships allegedly on fire near Strait of Hormuz based on satellite ...