A Palau‑flagged oil tanker, Skylight, was struck near the Strait of Hormuz amid a rapidly escalating regional conflict that has already disrupted one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors. The attack, which occurred roughly five nautical miles north of Oman’s Khasab Port, has intensified fears of a broader shipping shutdown as military tensions sweep across the Gulf.
The Strike and Immediate Aftermath
Oman’s Maritime Security Centre confirmed that the Skylight—carrying 20 crew members, including 15 Indian and five Iranian nationals—was hit early Sunday. All crew members were evacuated, though at least four sustained injuries and were transported for medical treatment. The vessel reportedly caught fire and began sinking following the impact.
Authorities have not identified the weapon used or the party responsible, though Iranian state media claimed the tanker was targeted for “illegally attempting” to transit the Strait after Tehran declared the waterway closed to international navigation. No formal legal notice of closure has been issued, but radio warnings from Iranian forces have been widely reported by commercial vessels.
A Region on Edge: Escalation Across the Gulf
The attack on Skylight comes amid a surge of retaliatory strikes following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint U.S.–Israeli operations. Iran has since launched drone and missile attacks across Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar, and Oman, with explosions heard in Dubai, Doha, and Manama.
Oman also reported a drone strike on the port of Duqm, further underscoring the widening scope of hostilities. The sultanate, long a mediator between Tehran and Washington, now finds itself directly affected by the conflict’s spillover.
Shipping Paralysis at the World’s Most Critical Oil Chokepoint
The Strait of Hormuz—through which a quarter of global seaborne oil and a fifth of liquefied natural gas flows—has seen ship traffic plummet. Major shipping lines, including Maersk and Hapag‑Lloyd, have suspended transits, while tankers and container vessels have executed abrupt U‑turns or anchored outside the Gulf of Oman awaiting clarity.
Marine insurers have halted coverage for voyages through the area, leaving operators exposed to extreme risk. More than 450 oil and gas tankers were inside the Strait when Iran’s warnings began, according to maritime intelligence assessments.
A Vessel Already Under Scrutiny
The Skylight was no ordinary tanker. U.S. authorities sanctioned the vessel and its management company in December 2025, identifying it as part of a “shadow fleet” used to transport Iranian petroleum products in violation of international sanctions. The tanker had been anchored in Oman’s Musandam province since February 22, raising questions about its operational status and vulnerability.
Global Energy Markets Brace for Impact
Oil futures are expected to surge when markets reopen, with analysts warning that Brent crude could approach $100 per barrel if the crisis persists. The combination of military escalation, shipping paralysis, and insurance withdrawal has created the most severe disruption to Gulf energy flows since the early 2020s.
Uncertain Waters Ahead
With no formal closure of the Strait announced but de facto restrictions tightening, maritime authorities warn that further attacks are likely. The International Maritime Organization has condemned the targeting of civilian shipping, stressing that “no attack on innocent seafarers is ever justified.” Regional governments and global powers now face mounting pressure to prevent the conflict from engulfing the world’s most strategic waterway.