MUSCAT, Mar 2: A bomb-carrying drone boat struck a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Monday, killing one mariner on board, Oman said. The state-run Oman News Agency reported the attack off the coast of Muscat, the sultanate’s capital. It identified the vessel as the MKD VYOM. It said the dead crew member was from India. Iran has been threatening vessels approaching the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, and is believed to have launched multiple attacks after Israel and the U.S. started a major airstrike campaign targeting the Iran.

The incident has heightened vigilance among shipping companies operating in and around the Gulf of Oman, a critical corridor for global oil transport. It fits a broader pattern of escalating tensions in the region, where commercial vessels increasingly face the risk of hostile attacks. Security experts warn that such incidents could disrupt global oil supply chains and heighten geopolitical instability. Maritime officials are calling for stronger protective measures for ships navigating these strategic waterways, noting that the full impact of the attack may take time to assess. For now, the burning tanker stands as a stark reminder of the dangers confronting international shipping in contested waters.