A Palau-flagged oil tanker named Skylight came under attack in the Strait of Hormuz on March 1, 2026, injuring four crew members and prompting the evacuation of all 20 personnel on board, including 15 Indian nationals and five Iranians, according to Oman's Maritime Security Centre (MSC). The incident occurred approximately five nautical miles north of Khasab Port in Oman's Musandam Governorate, marking the first reported strike on commercial shipping in the vital chokepoint since the escalation of the Iran-US-Israel conflict. The vessel, reportedly under US sanctions for facilitating Iranian petroleum exports, sustained damage that caused a fire, though the exact method of attack—whether missile, drone, or other means—remains unconfirmed by authorities.

Oman's MSC stated that the entire crew was safely evacuated following the strike, with the four injured sailors receiving medical treatment for varying degrees of severity. No fatalities have been reported, and the focus has shifted to ensuring the welfare of the seafarers while assessing the tanker's condition. The attack follows Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declaration that the Strait of Hormuz is closed to international navigation, coupled with radio warnings to transiting vessels claiming passage is unsafe amid retaliatory operations against US and Israeli targets in the Gulf. Shipping traffic through the strait, which handles about one-fifth of global oil flows, has plummeted as companies reroute or halt movements to avoid risks.

This maritime incident extends the spillover from joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, prompting Tehran to launch missile and drone barrages across the region, including at ports like Duqm in Oman and sites in the UAE. The targeting of a tanker near Omani waters—despite Oman's neutral mediation role in past US-Iran talks—highlights the broadening scope of the conflict, raising alarms over disruptions to global energy supplies and potential further attacks on commercial vessels. Analysts warn that sustained threats could drive oil prices sharply higher and force rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope, adding weeks to transit times.

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The Indian government has yet to issue a specific statement on the 15 Indian crew members, but the Ministry of External Affairs is likely monitoring developments closely given the large number of Indian seafarers in global shipping. Previous regional crises have seen India coordinate repatriation and support for its nationals at sea. The presence of Indian crew underscores the human dimension of the crisis, as many mariners from the subcontinent crew tankers in high-risk zones for economic opportunities.

As the conflict intensifies with no immediate de-escalation in sight, maritime security agencies like the UK Maritime Trade Operations have advised vessels to exercise extreme caution in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. The episode serves as a stark warning of how quickly geopolitical tensions can threaten civilian shipping and global trade, with potential long-term implications for energy security, insurance rates, and international efforts to contain the violence. Authorities continue to urge reliance on official channels for updates amid the volatile environment.

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