Oman evacuates injured crew after tanker attack in Strait of Hormuz

The tanker, identified as the On Peace, was hit 9 nautical miles (about 17 km) off the Omani port city of Limah, the Omani Ministry of Defence said in a statement on X. The ministry did not attribute the attack to any group, and no claim of responsibility had been made as of Wednesday.

India's Ministry of External Affairs said 17 of the 19 crew members were Indian nationals, and 11 of the 12 injured were Indian. The remaining crew included two Bangladeshi nationals, according to Indian officials. The ministry expressed deep concern over what it called "continuing incidents of attacks on shipping in the region" and reiterated its call for an immediate cessation of such attacks.

The attack is the latest in a series of incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, where security has deteriorated sharply since the United States and Israel began their war on Iran in late February. Iran effectively closed the waterway on February 28 and has frequently attacked commercial vessels that do not use its designated route. Iran has also said it wants to charge ships for passage.

At least seven other incidents involving tankers have been reported in the past week, according to Marisks, a shipping intelligence service. India's government said in July that at least 10 Indian seafarers had been killed since the war began; an Indian sailor was killed in another attack on a cargo ship in the strait in September.

Despite the attacks, Middle East crude exports have risen to pre-war levels, with a seven-day moving average of 18.3 million barrels per day on September 30, compared with about 18 million before the war. However, Brent crude futures rose to $101.51 a barrel on Tuesday, up from $72.48 the day before the war began.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies, and continued attacks threaten trade and energy prices.
India, a major source of merchant sailors, is directly affected by rising casualties among its nationals.
The pattern of attacks suggests Iran is enforcing a de facto toll system, raising the cost of shipping through one of the world's most important waterways.

Background

The Strait of Hormuz, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, sees about a fifth of the world's oil supply pass through it. Since the onset of the US-Israel war on Iran in late February, Iran has effectively closed the waterway to vessels not using a designated route. Tehran has said it intends to charge ships for passage, and attacks on commercial vessels have become frequent. The incident comes amid a broader surge in attacks: at least seven other tanker incidents were reported in the past week alone.

Key Perspectives

India: As a nation with a large diaspora of merchant seafarers, India has called for an end to attacks and is pressing for the safety of its citizens. At least 10 Indian sailors have been killed since the war began. Oman: A neutral neighbour with a long coastline on the strait, Oman is facilitating emergency evacuations and medical care but has not publicly assigned blame for the attack. Iran: Tehran has not commented on this specific incident, but its actions — closing the waterway and attacking ships — indicate it seeks to control and monetise passage through the strait. Shipping and energy markets: Despite the violence, oil exports have returned to pre-war levels, but higher insurance premiums and longer routes are pushing up costs, reflected in Brent crude trading above $100.

What to Watch

Whether Iran or its proxies claim responsibility for the On Peace attack or issue new demands on shipping.
The trajectory of Middle East crude exports: if attacks escalate further, export volumes may fall.
India's next steps: New Delhi may push for international naval escorts or bilateral security arrangements with Oman and other Gulf states.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Background

Key Perspectives

What to Watch

Sources