Oman says fuel tanks at the Duqm commercial port were targeted by several drones - state news agency

Oman says fuel tanks at the Duqm commercial port were targeted by several drones - state news agency

Oman’s Duqm Port Targeted in Drone Strikes Amid Regional Tensions

On Sunday, Oman’s state news agency reported that its Duqm commercial port was struck by two drones, with one injuring a foreign worker and debris from the second landing near fuel storage tanks, though no material damage or further casualties were recorded. The attack occurred amid escalating regional tensions following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory actions by Tehran, marking the first time targets in or near Oman have been attacked.

Separately, a Palau-flagged oil tanker, Skylight, was struck approximately 5 nautical miles north of Oman’s Musandam peninsula, injuring four crew members—15 Indian and five Iranian nationals—who were subsequently evacuated. The Oman Maritime Security Centre did not specify the cause of the strike but confirmed the vessel’s evacuation. The Musandam peninsula, which shares control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz with Iran, is critical to global oil flows, as the strait facilitates roughly 20% of worldwide oil consumption.

The incidents highlight vulnerabilities in Gulf energy infrastructure amid heightened geopolitical risks. While Oman has not attributed the attacks directly to any party, the timing aligns with retaliatory strikes by Iran following U.S.-Israeli operations. Oman, a longstanding mediator in U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, has condemned the attacks and pledged to safeguard national security.

For investors, the strikes underscore potential disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy artery. Any prolonged instability could elevate oil prices and insurance costs for tankers transiting the region. Analysts will closely monitor Oman’s response and whether further attacks escalate regional tensions, which could impact global markets and investor confidence in Gulf energy assets.

Reuters, March 1, 2026: Reuters, March 1, 2026
Anadolu Agency, March 1, 2026: Anadolu Agency, March 1, 2026