Reuters reported on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, citing three informed sources, that Iran had attacked maritime navigation aids on Oman’s Didamar Island in the Strait of Hormuz. The extent of the damage remains unclear, however, with conflicting reports emerging over whether the equipment was damaged.

Iranian state media said on Tuesday, November 10, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, that Iranian forces had destroyed what they described as “enemy navigation equipment” on the island. Tehran claims the equipment is used to facilitate the passage of vessels travelling through the southern Strait of Hormuz without Iranian authorisation.

Reuters said it had reviewed video footage showing smoke rising from Didamar Island. Satellite imagery from the European Union’s Copernicus programme also showed signs of thermal activity in the area. However, it remains unclear what caught fire on the island and whether the navigation equipment was damaged.

By contrast, specialist publication The Maritime Executive reported on Tuesday, citing a senior Omani official, that the island’s navigation aids had not been hit. It also said satellite images from November 10 showed no visible damage to the lighthouse, radio masts or radar equipment, although damage not detectable in the imagery could not be ruled out.

The small island of Didamar lies near Oman’s Musandam Peninsula and the southbound shipping lane through the Strait of Hormuz. It hosts the Hormuz maritime traffic control centre, a lighthouse, radio communications equipment and a radar system normally used to guide and manage vessels passing through the strategic waterway.

Reuters reported that three shipping and maritime security sources believe any disruption to commercial shipping would probably be limited, even if the island’s facilities were damaged, because alternative navigation systems are available elsewhere.

The incident comes as Gulf oil-exporting countries also use ship-to-ship cargo transfers near Oman’s Port of Sohar and the UAE’s Port of Fujairah to maintain energy export flows. According to Reuters, oil exports from countries in the region recovered to more than 80 per cent of pre-war levels in September and October.

At the time of the Reuters report, Oman’s Ministry of Information and the US Central Command had not responded to requests for comment. The precise timing of the attack, the extent of the damage and the operational status of the island’s navigation equipment remain unclear.