2026 Iranian strikes on Oman
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From 28 February 2026, as part of the 2026 Iran war, Iran began launching a series of drone strikes on sites in Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, targeting the Port of Duqm and the Port of Salalah, which are used by the United States. Separate drone strikes targeted ports and industrial zones in Sohar, Bukha, and Mina Al Fahal, along with attacks in the Omani territorial waters of the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. The attacks killed 16 people and injured 35 others.
| 2026 Iranian strikes on Oman | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the 2026 Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz crisis | ||||||||
Satellite image of smoke rising from the Port of Salalah on 13 March | ||||||||
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| Belligerents | ||||||||
| Units involved | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | ||||||||
 At least 19 drones intercepted[1] |
 1 A-10 ground attack fighter jet destroyed, one pilot injured[2] 1 Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopter destroyed[3] |
14 crew members of attacked vessels killed[4][5][6][7][8] and 20 injured[9][10][11][12] 2 foreign workers killed[13] and 15 injured[14][15][16][17] | ||||||
Background
Oman and Iran have consistently shared diplomatic and economic ties dating back to the Pahlavi period, as Oman considers Iran not to be a threat as perceived by the other Arab states of the Persian Gulf.
During the Pahlavi dynasty of Iran, the two countries had economic ties. During the Dhofar Rebellion in Oman, Mohammad Reza Shah intervened in support of the Omani government, providing troops and weapons.
Muscat has historically been a venue for diplomacy between Tehran and Washington. Since the early 2000s, Oman has hosted multiple rounds of nuclear and political talks between the two countries, whom have had no formal diplomatic relations since 7 April 1980.
In 2019, Oman and the United States made an agreement for US military access to the ports of Duqm and Salalah.[18]
Negotiations
On 12 April 2025, Iran and the United States began a series of negotiations aimed at reaching a nuclear peace agreement, with the first round held in the Al Alam Palace in Muscat. The second round of Omani-mediated talks took place in Rome on 19 April 2025, followed by a third high-level round in Muscat around a week later. On 25 February, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that a "historic" agreement with the United States to avert military conflict was "within reach".[19]
A third round of indirect talks mediated by Omani foreign minister Badr Al Busaidi took place on 26 February, at the residence of Oman's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Switzerland. The talks happened in the morning and evening of this day, with a pause for the American negotiators to meet a Ukrainian delegation, and focused on Iran's nuclear program.[20][21][22] In the midst of this round of negotiations, it was reported that the sides were far from reaching a deal.[23]
On 28 February 2026, the US and Israel launched a series of strikes against Iran, targeting key officials, military commanders, and facilities. Iran replied by launching strikes against Israel and American military bases in the Middle East, as well as civilian targets.[24][25] Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and a number of Iranian officials, including the Minister of Defense Aziz Nasirzadeh, and the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Mohammad Pakpour, were killed in the strikes.[24][26]
After the US-Israeli attack on Iran, Al-Busaidi said that he was dismayed and that "active and serious negotiations" had been undermined.[27]
Incidents
March
1 March
Following the initial Israeli–United States strikes on Iran, two drones hit Duqm Port in the Al Wusta Governorate, with one striking a mobile workers' housing unit, injuring a foreign worker. The second was intercepted and neutralised, with debris falling near fuel storage tanks.[28][29] That same day, the Palau-flagged Skylight and Marshall Islands-flagged MKD VYOM tankers were targeted off Oman's coast, the tanker Skylight at 5 nmi (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) north of the Port of Khasab in the Musandam Governorate and the tanker MKD VYOM was attacked by a drone boat approximately 52 nmi (96 km; 60 mi) off the coast of Muscat, triggering an explosion in the main engine room. The attacks resulting in three deaths and three injuries.[30][31][32] Another Indian national was critically injured in an night attack on the vessel LCT Alyh.[33]
2 March
Omani authorities announced that the Honduras-flagged Bitumen ship Athe Nova was attacked and damaged by Iran.[34]
3 March
A fuel tank at Duqm Port was hit by several unmanned aircraft. The resulting damage was contained and no casualties were recorded.[35] On the same day, Oman reported intercepting two Iranian drones in Dhofar, while a third drone crashed near the Port of Salalah.[36]
4 March
IRGCN NEDSA Navy stated they blew up 10 commercial vessels that were attempting to travel through the Strait of Hormuz.[37] A Malta-flagged Container ship Safeen Prestige was attacked by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in no casualties, but the ship was abandoned.[38]
6 March
The UAE-flagged tugboat Mussafah 2 was attacked by Iran in the Omani territorial waters of the Strait of Hormuz, killing four crew members and three severely injured.[39]
7 March
The IRGC said that it attacked the Malta-flagged oil tanker Prima with a drone after "ignoring repeated warnings from the IRGC Navy regarding the prohibition of traffic and the unsafe nature of the Strait of Hormuz".[40]
11 March
Salalah Port was once again targeted by drones, setting fire to two fuel tanks and suspending the port's operations.[41] On the same day, another drone was intercepted north of Duqm.[42]
The Thailand-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree (IMO 9323649) was hit by two missiles shortly after passing the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel caught fire and most of the crew abandoned ship and were rescued by the Royal Navy of Oman. The attack resulting in three deaths.[43][44] Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Star Gwyneth (IMO 9301031) and Japan-flagged container vessel One Majesty (IMO 9424912) were also reported to have been damaged by unknown projectiles in the vicinity of the Strait.[45]
12 March
A drone was intercepted over the airspace of Khasab, with no casualties or damage reported.[46]
13 March
Two people were killed and several injured in a drone strike in Sohar.[47] One drone fell in the Al Awahi Industrial Area, killing two expatriates and injuring 11, while the other crashed in an open area with no casualties reported.[48][49]
18–19 March
During a period of two days, reports said there were attacks on energy facilities in Oman, mainly in the port of Salalah.[50]
28 March
Two drones crashed into the Port of Salalah, causing moderate injuries to one foreign worker, the attack caused minor damage to one of its cranes.[51]
April
3 April
A Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II was shot down by Iranian fire off the coast of Bukha, Oman; the pilot ejected but needed medical attention. The aircraft was destroyed.[52]
4 April
Iran claimed that it struck the container ship MSC Ishyka with a drone in the Strait of Hormuz, alleging that it was linked to Israel. The attack was not independently verified.[53]
18 April
UKMTO reported two Iranian gunboats opened fire on a tanker that tried to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.[54]
22 April
Iranian Revolutionary Guards gunboats engaged three container vessels, the Epaminodes (IMO 9153862), Euphoria (IMO 9235828) and MSC-Francesca (IMO 9401116) in the Strait of Hormuz. Epaminodes and MSC-Francesca were seized and escorted to the coast of Iran, claiming safety violations.[55] Euphoria reported heavy damage to the bridge by gun and rocketfire from Iranian gunboats.[56]
May
4 May
Iran launched limited attacks against Oman and the UAE. In this attack, two residents in Bukha were injured after a residential building housing employees of a company were targeted. While unclear the type of attack, the incident left two expatriates with moderate injuries and caused damage to four vehicles parked at the site, while shattering windows at a nearby house.[57]
American forces reportedly destroyed six or seven small Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz during a clash. The boats were destroyed after they allegedly tried to interfere with the transit of two US flagged commercial vessels and two Navy destroyer vessels (USS Truxtun and USS Mason).[58]
5 May
The CMA CGM line stated that one of their freighters, CMA CGM San Antonio, was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz late on 5 May. Eight crewmembers were injured and were evacuated for treatment.[59][60]
8 May
Iranian state TV reported that the tanker Ocean Koi (IMO 9255933) was seized by Iranian forces.[61]
13 May
The Indian-flagged small freighter Haji Ali reported to have been stricken by a drone or missile off the coast of Oman and sank. All 14 crewmembers were rescued by Omani authorities.[62]
June
5 June
Mina Al Fahal Port was allegedly attacked by a drone, with the explosion occurring between the single-buoy mooring (SBM) 1 and 2 berths. Petroleum Development Oman, an Omani production company denied this and said that productions at the port were continuing normally.[63]
Iran said it launched warning missiles and drones towards American warships in the Gulf of Oman. The US rejected the claim, saying doing so would be a serious violation of the truce.[64][65]
8 June
CENTCOM said that American forces disabled the Marivex, an unladen oil tanker which was heading to Kharg Island after the vessel allegedly ignored multiple warnings.[66] The Indian shipping ministry said that 24 Indian crew members were on board the tanker, adding that a fire was reported but that all were safe and they were rescued with Omani help.[67]
9 June
A United States Army Boeing AH-64 Apache 'went down' in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman, both crewmembers survived and were rescued by a USN surface drone.[68]
10 June
US forces attacked the tanker M/T Settebello (IMO 9162916) killing three Indian crew members. The US stated the crew had failed to comply with orders from American forces.[69]
11 June
Centcom executed a strike with two Hellfire missiles on the Jalveer ship in the Gulf of Oman, targeting its engine room while it was transporting Iranian oil. The ship's crew, all Indian nationals, allegedly did not follow directions from American forces but were subsequently rescued.[70]
25 June
Iran declared a new Hormuz route laid out by Oman and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) "unacceptable and dangerous", warning against ships transiting with no approval from it.[71] On the same day, the British military announced that the Ever Lovely cargo vessel was damaged by an unknown projectile in the Hormuz 7.5 nautical miles (13.9 km; 8.6 mi) southeast of Omani port of Dahit while travelling via the UN-approved route.[72][73] The US accused Iran of carrying out the attack.[74] The IMO chose to halt its planned evacuation of ships stranded around the Hormuz following the attack, causing oil prices to surge as much as 4%.[75]
26 June
Trump accused Iran of violating the truce with US by launching drone attacks on ships in the Hormuz.[76]
27 June
On 27 June, the oil tanker Kiku was struck by a projectile in the strait, damaging its bridge. CENTCOM said that the vessel was hit by an Iranian attack drone, and the US military responded by conducting airstrikes against Iranian military and communications sites near the strait.[77][78] The US military announced it struck Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities at the commander-in-chief's direction in retaliation to the Iranian attack against a ship in the Hormuz.[79]
July
4 July
the UK and France stated that Oman had committed to work with both countries to ensure safe navigation through its territorial waters in the Hormuz. Iran warned the UK and France against providing military support to defend shipping in the Hormuz.[80]
7 July
Iran reportedly launched at least two missiles at commercial vessels including Al Rekayyat, a liquefied natural gas tanker owned by Nakilat QGTS.QA, part of Qatari LNG industry in the Hormuz, causing significant damage.[81] Qatar accused Iran of carrying out the attack against its gas tanker, describing it as a clear violation of international law.[82] On the same day, the UK military said that another tanker the Wedyan in the Hormuz was hit by an unidentified projectile.[83] Saudis condemned Iranian attacks on their oil tanker and Qatari tanker.[84] Less than 24 hours later, the IRGC attacked a third vessel the Cyprus Prosperity in the Strait.[85] In response, the US Department of the Treasury reimposed sanctions on Iran's oil exports that were lifted after the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum, and later CENTCOM announced a wave of strikes targeting Iranian military sites near the Strait of Hormuz.[86]
11 July
The IRGC navy said that it closed the Strait until further notice after firing a warning shot at a vessel trying to transit through an unapproved route.[87]
12 July
CENTCOM said the IRGC had attacked the M/V GFS Galaxy, causing a fire on board and "significant engine room damage". The UK navy-sponsored UKMTO agency says the crew of the container ship that has been attacked off the coast of Oman has been "rescued by local authorities".[88] Three people were injured in the attack and one Indian sailor is missing. The Indian government strongly condemns the incident.[89] The body of the missing Indian sailor was recovered 60 hours after the Iranian attack on the vessel.[90]
The IRGC it claimed that it struck and destroyed logistical support centers and refueling stations for US aircraft carriers at the Duqm Port. Oman said drones were launched towards Musandam Governorate.[91]
13 July
Iran claimed that it hit and destroyed radar systems in Oman.[92]
17 July
Iran said that it targeted an American maritime surveillance radar in Oman.[93]
20 July
Two Greek-owned tankers, the Kavomaleas and the Acheloos, were struck by projectiles on the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz. A fire was sparked in the Kavomaleas's engine room, forcing its crew to evacuate.[94] The tanker was reportedly towed into Iranian waters following the attack.[95]
21 July
Kuwaiti tanker Kaifan was struck on its poop deck by a projectile 8 nautical miles northeast of Limah in Oman, disabling its main engine and causing minor injuries to two crew.[96]
24 July
Fars News Agency stated, citing a person familiar with the matter that an American missile attack hit a LPG tanker in the Gulf of Oman, killing two crews and damaging its engine room, disabling the vessel. Fars stated the US believed the tanker was carrying Iranian gas.[97] The American military stated that it forces disabled the tanker Mozambique-flagged M/T Lavine in the Gulf of Oman, after the crew attempted to violate the blockade multiple times and ignored repeated warnings.[98][99]
31 July
The Bermuda-flagged LNG tanker Gaslog Shanghai was struck and disabled by a projectile while exiting the Strait of Hormuz with Qatari LNG.[100][101]
Reactions
Iran
On 2 March, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the attacks on Oman were not their choice and were carried out by Iranian military units that are acting independently based on general instructions that have been given to them.[102] Iranian General Staff said it did not order a military strike on Omani territory and stated Oman remains a "friend and neighbour".[103] However Iran continued to carry out strikes even after the statement.[104]
Iran said it was not involved in the attacks on Salalah Port. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, the spokesperson for a key command unit of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, called the attack "very suspicious" and said Tehran was investigating it, according to Iranian state media, adding that he viewed Oman as a "friendly neighbouring and brotherly country".[42]
In 20 March, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei released a written statement denying that Iran or its allied forces were behind the drone attacks in Oman and Turkey. He claimed these incidents were "false flag" operations orchestrated by Israel to "sow discord between Iran and its neighbors".[105]
On 25 April, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi met with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq in during a one-day visit to Oman after he departed Islamabad after talks with Pakistani leaders, to discuss the "evolving" regional situation and mediation efforts to end the 2026 Iran war.[106]
United States
On 14 March, the US State Department ordered all non-essential government staff and their families to leave Oman.[107]
On 28 May, the US president Donald Trump threatened to 'blow up' Oman if it fails to "behave" in a casual aside during a cabinet meeting after reports of talks between Iran and Oman about jointly charging a toll for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.[108]