An oil tanker sailing under the flag of Palau was attacked off the coast of Oman, injuring four crew members and prompting a full evacuation, Omani authorities said on Sunday. The strike is the first reported attack on commercial shipping near the Strait of Hormuz since regional tensions spiked in recent days, and the first such incident affecting Oman, a key mediator in talks between the United States and Iran, since Tehran began its wave of retaliation across the Gulf.

Oman’s Maritime Security Centre said the tanker Skylight was struck about five nautical miles north of the port of Khasab in the country’s northern Musandam region. The vessel’s entire 20-member crew was removed from the ship following the incident.

Four injured, 15 Indian nationals

Authorities said the crew comprised 15 Indian nationals and five Iranian nationals. According to initial information reported by the Times of Oman, four crew members sustained injuries of varying severity and were transferred to medical facilities for treatment. No deaths were reported.

The Maritime Security Centre said it continues to monitor the situation and is coordinating with other relevant agencies as investigations move forward. No further details about the nature of the attack or those behind it were immediately released.

It remained unclear who was behind the attack on the vessel, though the incident occurred amid warnings from authorities that ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz had been receiving radio threats from Iran following the joint assault on the country by the United States and Israel.

Advisory by Royal Oman Police

The Royal Oman Police has urged fishermen and operators of tourist boats near the Musandam Governorate to stay off the water amid fast-changing conditions in the region. Officials said the advisory, issued as a precaution, will remain in effect until further notice to ensure public safety.

 

Attack near key shipping corridor

The strike comes shortly after Oman’s state media reported that two drones targeted the port of Duqm. One UAV struck a mobile accommodation unit used by workers, injuring a foreign national, while debris from the second drone landed near fuel tanks without causing casualties or damage, the agency reported.

Maritime authorities urged ships operating in the Arabian Sea and the approaches to the Strait of Hormuz to remain alert and follow official safety guidance.

Gulf states hit by second day of Iranian attacks

Sunday’s barrage followed a deadly first wave of strikes the previous day, which killed two civilians in Abu Dhabi as Iran targeted military bases and, in some cases, civilian sites across the region.

In the UAE, presidential adviser Anwar Gargash condemned Tehran’s actions, saying Iran had misjudged the situation. “It isolated Iran at a critical juncture. Your war is not with your neighbours,” he said, urging Tehran to “return to reason” before regional tensions deepen further.

Sunday morning saw repeated blasts in Dubai, Manama and Doha. Thick black smoke rose over southern Doha, while debris from intercepted drones injured two people in Dubai. A woman and child were also hurt in Abu Dhabi after fragments from an intercepted drone struck a building at Etihad Towers, officials said.

A fire broke out at Jebel Ali Port after falling debris ignited overnight, according to local authorities.

In Bahrain, drones also hit the airport in Manama, causing minor damage.

Landmarks and airports affected across UAE

On Saturday, Iran fired 137 missiles and 209 drones at targets in the United Arab Emirates, the defence ministry said. Fires and smoke were seen near major landmarks, including The Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Al Arab.

At Abu Dhabi International Airport, one person was killed and seven injured in what authorities described as an incident linked to the strikes. Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international passengers, and Kuwait International Airport were also hit.

Earlier Saturday, a Pakistani civilian was killed by debris in Abu Dhabi, officials said.

Qatar and Bahrain also struck

In Qatar – home to the region’s largest US military base – officials reported that Iran launched 65 missiles and 12 drones. Most were intercepted, though eight people were wounded, one critically.

Smoke was seen rising from US military facilities in Abu Dhabi and Manama on Saturday, as well as from bases targeted in Kuwait. Manama also saw drones and shrapnel hit residential buildings, while the barrage extended to Riyadh and eastern Saudi Arabia.

(AFP)