ALBAWABA- Oman’s largest transshipment hub, the Port of Salalah, came under a drone attack allegedly attributed to Iran on Wednesday, raising concerns about the growing threat to Gulf maritime infrastructure.
Omani authorities said two drones were intercepted over Dhofar Governorate, while a third crashed near the port’s perimeter close to fuel storage tanks. Initial assessments indicated damage to parts of the storage infrastructure, with fires reported in some areas. Officials said the blazes were quickly contained and no casualties were reported.
Operations at the strategic port, a major oil storage and bunkering facility on the Arabian Sea, were temporarily disrupted following the incident. Muscat condemned the strike and pledged to take necessary measures to safeguard national assets and shipping routes.
Iranian military officials denied directly targeting civilian infrastructure, saying their actions were part of a broader response to what Tehran describes as threats posed by U.S.-aligned military and logistical facilities in the region.
The attack forms part of a wider wave of Iranian strikes on Gulf energy infrastructure since late February, following military operations by the United States and Israel against Iranian nuclear and military sites.
In the United Arab Emirates, Iranian drones have repeatedly targeted the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, causing fires at fuel storage tanks and refinery facilities and disrupting exports.
Meanwhile, in Bahrain, Iranian missiles and drones struck the Bapco Energies refinery complex in Sitra around Monday, March 9, injuring at least 32 people and forcing temporary operational suspensions.
Qatar has also faced threats to energy infrastructure, with Iranian projectiles targeting facilities near the Ras Laffan LNG facility in early March, prompting interceptions and temporary activity halts. Gulf states have condemned the strikes as violations of sovereignty and stepped up air defenses across the region.
