By Al-Fassel | 2026-03-28

Drones struck fuel tanks at Oman's Salalah port on March 11, as the Iranian regime continues to target Gulf infrastructure in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks.

"Omani authorities reported that several drones were intercepted, while others struck fuel tanks at the port of Salalah," the Oman News Agency reported.

A major fire erupted from the attack, sending thick black smoke miles into the sky. No casualties were reported.

Emergency crews and armed forces battled the blaze. The attack suspended operations at the port's general cargo and liquid terminals.

Danish shipping giant Maersk announced in a statement that it was suspending bookings in the Gulf "until further notice."

The full financial and logistical impact on the port—a critical hub for global trade and energy supplies—is still under assessment.

Regional reactions to the strike

The Salalah strike is broadly seen as part of wider aggression that is undermining regional security and commerce.

The Iranian regime has used sophisticated drones to strike critical infrastructure in neighboring countries.

Many interpret this calculated attack as a direct message to Oman and its key allies, including the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The international response was swift and unified. The US and its Gulf allies denounced the strike as a threat to regional stability.

In an emergency meeting, the GCC declared the security of its member states indivisible and affirmed their collective right to self-defense.

Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi condemned the attack, saying the council stands united behind Oman in defending its security, stability and territorial integrity.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) described the attack as a "dangerous escalation," a condemnation echoed by Qatar, which called it a "blatant act of aggression."

Oman's long-standing neutrality and mediator role are strained. The recent security incident shows the Sultanate is no longer spared from escalating regional conflicts.

In a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, on March 11, Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said condemned the ongoing attacks targeting its territory.

The regime has denied responsibility, with a spokesperson calling the incident "highly suspicious," but the attack has severely tested the relationship between Muscat and Tehran.

A call for unity

This aggressive strike on a vital commercial port underscores a critical turning point for the Middle East.

Such actions have already menaced or impacted numerous regional states, posing an undeniable threat to stability and economic prosperity.

Salalah strike transcends an attack on a single nation; it represents a direct assault on the fundamental security and commerce that bind the wider region.

Analysts and officials assert that this pivotal moment demands immediate cooperation and solidarity from all nations to reassert stability. Unity must prevail now.