Fifteen Indian nationals were among 20 crew members evacuated after a Palau-flagged oil tanker, Skylight, was targeted in waters off Musandam Governorate in Oman, Gulf News reported, citing an official statement from Oman’s Maritime Security Centre.
Authorities said the vessel was struck around five nautical miles north of Khasab Port. A coordinated emergency response was immediately launched to ensure the safety of those on board, news agency ANI reported.
“All 20 crew members were evacuated, including 15 Indian nationals and five Iranian nationals,” the centre said.
The maritime attack comes amid a sharp escalation in regional hostilities. Addressing the crew’s condition, Gulf News reported that medical assistance was provided to those affected.
“Preliminary information indicates that four crew members sustained injuries of varying severity and were transferred for the necessary medical treatment.”
Omani officials have not yet disclosed further details regarding the source of the attack or the extent of damage to the tanker.
US, Israel strike Iran: India launches diplomatic push amid Gulf flare-up
The incident occurred against the backdrop of major security developments in the region following high-profile killings in Tehran.
Iranian Army Chief of Staff Abdul Rahim Mousavi and Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh were killed in Israeli-US strikes in Iran, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday, citing Iran’s state-run media Islamic Republic News Agency.
Earlier, the Israeli Air Force confirmed that its fighter jets had carried out strikes on military targets in Iran, reportedly killing seven senior Iranian defence officials, including Ali Shamkhani and Mohammad Pakpour.
In a post on X, the Israeli Air Force stated: “IAF fighter jets precisely struck military targets across Iran, eliminating 7 senior officials of the Iranian Defense Leadership: Ali Shamkhani, Mohammad Pakpour, Saleh Asadi, Mohammad Shirazi, Aziz Nasirzadeh, Hossein Jabal Amelian, Reza Mozaffari-Nia. The world is a better place without them.”
The Israeli-US strikes on Saturday resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The operation, referred to by the Israel Defense Forces as “Operation Roaring Lion,” followed months of joint planning with the US Armed Forces, IDF Lt Col Nadav Shoshani said in a video message.
The situation has prompted India to initiate diplomatic outreach and exchanges with regional and international leaders in response to the heightened tensions in the Gulf, amid concerns over the safety of Indian nationals in the region.
As the conflict widened, Al Jazeera reported that Iran launched coordinated attacks on US-linked targets across several Gulf Arab states. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Israeli and US military facilities in the Middle East had been hit by “powerful Iranian missile strikes,” warning that operations would continue.
“This operation will persist without interruption until the enemy is decisively defeated,” the IRGC said, adding that all US assets in the region are now regarded as legitimate targets.
(With ANI inputs)
15 Indians among 20 crew evacuated after oil tanker attacked off Oman
