Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Oil storage facilities near the southern Omani port city of Salalah were struck in a suspected Iranian drone attack, marking a dangerous escalation in the expanding regional conflict and raising fresh concerns about the security of global energy infrastructure.
The strike targeted fuel storage tanks near the Port of Salalah, one of the largest logistics and transshipment hubs in the Arabian Sea. According to regional security sources and maritime monitoring groups, multiple drones were launched toward the port, with several intercepted while others struck oil storage tanks inside the facility, triggering fires and heavy smoke visible across the area.
Authorities in Oman said emergency crews were quickly deployed to contain the blaze, while port operations were temporarily halted as a precaution. Initial reports indicated that no casualties were recorded, though damage assessments were still underway.
The port of Salalah plays a crucial role in international trade and energy logistics, serving as a major refueling and shipping hub linking the Indian Ocean to Middle Eastern and Asian markets. The attack has intensified fears that the ongoing war involving Iran, the United States and Israel could increasingly target energy infrastructure and maritime routes across the region.
The incident comes amid growing tensions throughout the Gulf and surrounding waters, where commercial shipping has already been disrupted by attacks on merchant vessels and threats to block navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway normally carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, making any disruption a major concern for global energy markets.
Energy analysts say the attack on Salalah highlights how the conflict is spreading beyond traditional flashpoints in the Persian Gulf and into critical infrastructure along the broader Arabian Sea trade corridor.
Oil markets have already been rattled by the crisis. Prices surged earlier this week amid fears of prolonged supply disruptions, while governments and energy agencies have been scrambling to stabilize markets.
Earlier, the International Energy Agency announced the largest coordinated release of strategic oil reserves in history, approving the release of 400 million barrels from emergency stockpiles held by its member states in an effort to dampen the price shock.
Security experts warn that further attacks on ports, refineries or storage facilities across the Gulf region could deepen the global energy crisis and disrupt shipping routes vital to international trade.
While no group immediately claimed responsibility for the strike on Salalah, the attack comes as Iranian forces and allied groups have expanded operations targeting shipping lanes, energy facilities and military installations across the Middle East as the conflict continues to widen.
Regional governments and international shipping companies are now reassessing the safety of maritime routes in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf, raising concerns that further escalation could place additional pressure on already volatile global oil markets.
