MUSANDAM, Oman — March 1, 2026 : Iranian forces struck the Palau-flagged oil tanker Skylight in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday morning, causing the vessel to catch fire and begin sinking, according to Omani maritime authorities.
The incident occurred approximately five nautical miles (about 9.3 kilometers) north of Khasab Port in Oman’s Musandam Governorate. Iranian authorities reportedly targeted the vessel on the grounds that it was “illegally passing” through the strategic waterway.
Crew Evacuated, Four Injured
Oman’s Maritime Security Centre coordinated the emergency response to the distressed tanker. The Skylight was carrying a crew of 20 personnel, including 15 Indian nationals and five Iranian nationals.
Maritime officials confirmed that all 20 crew members were safely evacuated from the vessel. Four mariners sustained injuries of varying severity and were transferred to regional medical facilities for treatment. Authorities did not release additional medical details.
The Maritime Security Centre did not specify the type of weapon or method used in the strike. No further information regarding salvage operations or the vessel’s final condition was immediately available.
Vessel Profile and Sanctions Status
Maritime databases identify the Skylight as an 11,262 deadweight-ton refined products carrier. The vessel had reportedly been anchored in Oman’s Musandam Governorate since February 22, 2026, prior to the incident.
The United States Department of the Treasury designated the Skylight under its sanctions program in December 2025. According to U.S. authorities, the tanker is part of Iran’s “shadow fleet,” a network of vessels used to transport Iranian oil and petroleum products through the Persian Gulf in circumvention of international energy sanctions.
The vessel is managed by Red Sea Ship Management LLC, which was also sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in December 2025 in connection with the same network.
Regional Security Context
The strike on the Skylight comes amid heightened regional tensions. In recent days, joint U.S.–Israeli military operations in Iran have prompted Tehran to initiate retaliatory actions across multiple areas in the region. Military activities and strikes have reportedly affected Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Cyprus, and Oman.
On Saturday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that the Strait of Hormuz was closed to international navigation. The Strait is a critical maritime corridor for global energy supplies, handling a significant share of the world’s seaborne oil trade.
Iranian state media has not provided additional operational details regarding the strike. Omani authorities stated they are continuing to monitor the situation in coordination with relevant maritime and security agencies.
No further official statements were immediately available from Iranian authorities, the vessel’s management company, or U.S. officials regarding the incident.
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