An Indian crew member has been killed after a bomb-carrying drone boat struck an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, marking the first reported Indian casualty in the escalating US-Iran conflict.
According to the state-run Oman News Agency, the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel MKD VYOM was hit off the coast of Muscat on March 1. The deceased crew member, who was stationed in the engine room at the time of the explosion, was identified as an Indian national.
The vessel’s manager, V.Ships, confirmed that the tanker suffered an explosion followed by a fire after being struck by a suspected projectile. The company described the incident as tragic and confirmed one fatality among the crew.
Attack Amid Escalating US-Iran Hostilities
The strike comes amid heightened tensions in West Asia following joint airstrikes by the United States and Israel targeting Iran. While no group has formally claimed responsibility for the tanker attack, Iran has previously threatened vessels navigating near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addressed reports of Iranian strikes across Gulf nations, including Oman. Speaking to Al Jazeera, he stated that certain military actions were being carried out independently by armed forces under broader strategic directives.
Explosions were also reported in regional cities including Dubai, Doha, and Manama, raising concerns about a widening conflict.
Second Tanker Incident Involving Indian Nationals
In a separate incident on Sunday, 15 Indian nationals were aboard the Palau-flagged tanker Skylight when it was struck near Oman’s Musandam peninsula.
The Oman Maritime Security Centre confirmed that the attack occurred approximately five nautical miles north of Khasab Port, located along the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Four crew members sustained injuries of varying severity.
The 20-member crew included 15 Indian and five Iranian nationals. All personnel were evacuated following the attack.
The tanker is owned by Sea Force Inc and managed by Red Sea Ship Management LLC. Notably, the United States Department of the Treasury had sanctioned Red Sea Ship Management in December last year, alleging involvement in transporting Iranian petroleum products through a so-called “shadow fleet.”
Strait of Hormuz Under Threat
Iranian state television reported that another oil tanker was sinking after being struck while attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, facilitating approximately 25% of global seaborne oil trade and a significant share of liquefied natural gas shipments.
On Saturday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that the Strait of Hormuz was unsafe due to ongoing US and Israeli military operations and declared the passage effectively closed to shipping.
The incidents mark the first time targets in or near Oman have been directly hit since Iran began retaliatory strikes across the Gulf following coordinated US-Israeli attacks.
Growing Regional and Global Impact
The escalating conflict has increased risks to commercial shipping routes, global oil supplies, and expatriate communities across the Middle East. Governments are closely monitoring the security of maritime corridors, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.
As tensions continue to rise, concerns are mounting over further disruption to energy markets and the safety of civilians, including foreign nationals working in the region.
