Oman Air has announced the suspension of all flights to and from Gulf countries between March 9 and March 15, citing the closure of regional airspace. The airline confirmed that services to destinations including Amman, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Baghdad, and Khasab will remain halted during this period.

According to the announcement, the decision follows disruptions in regional airspace that have affected flight operations across the Gulf. The airline did not specify when normal services would resume beyond the stated suspension period.

The temporary halt is expected to impact travel connectivity within the Gulf region, though Oman Air has not provided further details on passenger arrangements or alternative routes.

Three Indonesian sailors remain missing after the UAE-flagged tugboat Musaffah 2 sank in the Strait of Hormuz, Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Friday. One Indonesian crew member was rescued and is receiving treatment for burn injuries at a hospital in Khasab, Oman.

According to the ministry’s statement, the vessel caught fire following an explosion before it went down. Local authorities have launched a search and rescue operation to locate the missing sailors. The cause of the explosion and subsequent sinking is under investigation by local officials.

The incident highlights ongoing maritime safety challenges in the busy Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route, as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding the tugboat’s loss.

An oil tanker named Skylight, sailing under the flag of Palau, was attacked near the Musandam Peninsula in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in the deaths of two Indian nationals. The victims were identified as Captain Ashish Kumar from Bihar and crew member Dalip Singh from Rajasthan. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran in the region. The tanker had departed on February 22 and came under attack off the coast of Oman.

According to a statement from Oman’s Maritime Security Center, the Palau-flagged oil tanker was targeted about five nautical miles north of Khasab port in Musandam Governorate. The vessel carried 20 crew members, including 15 Indians and 5 Iranians, all of whom were rescued. Official reports confirmed that the bodies of the two deceased were recovered, with Captain Kumar’s remains found in his cabin.

The statement did not specify the nature of the attack. The incident follows a recent drone strike near Oman’s Duqm port, further highlighting instability in the area.

Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi has called for an immediate end to the ongoing war in the Middle East. In a post on social media platform X, he said that the Omani government is making every effort to assist all foreigners stranded in the country to return to their respective homelands.

According to his statement, Oman is cooperating with various countries and international airlines to facilitate the repatriation of those affected by the conflict. Al-Busaidi emphasized that regardless of nationality, every person has the right to safety and security as part of their human rights.

The minister’s remarks come amid heightened regional tensions, with reports of instability and concern across the Gulf region.

Oman has rescued 24 crew members from a cargo ship that was struck by two Iranian missiles near the Strait of Hormuz, according to Al Jazeera. The Omani navy carried out the rescue operation after the Maltese-flagged vessel came under attack. The rescued crew received necessary medical treatment and were reported to be in good health.

The Oman News Agency, citing the Omani navy, confirmed the details of the incident and the successful rescue effort. The attack occurred in a highly sensitive maritime zone that serves as a key global shipping route. No further information was provided about the cause of the missile strikes or the condition of the vessel following the attack.

The report did not specify the nationality of the crew or the nature of the cargo, leaving some aspects of the incident unclear.

A container ship was struck by a missile in the Strait of Hormuz, north of Oman, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The incident occurred on Wednesday, causing a fire in the vessel’s engine room. Immediate reports of casualties or damage were not available at the time of the announcement.

UKMTO, which monitors commercial shipping activity, stated that there were no reports of environmental impact following the attack. The organization continues to assess the situation in coordination with relevant maritime authorities. The source of the missile strike and the identity of the vessel were not disclosed in the initial report.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime route for global oil and goods transport, and any disruption in this area can affect international shipping operations. However, the report did not indicate whether broader shipping activity had been impacted by this specific incident.

The United States Embassy in Oman has instructed its employees and American citizens in the country to remain sheltered until further notice. The directive was issued in response to what the embassy described as 'ongoing activity,' though no details were provided about the nature of the situation. The embassy urged all individuals to stay inside their residences or any other secure buildings and to identify a safe space within those locations.

According to the embassy’s statement, the precautionary measure will remain in effect until additional guidance is issued. The announcement did not specify whether the activity posed a direct threat or was related to any particular incident. The embassy emphasized maintaining caution and following official updates.

The lack of detail about the ongoing activity leaves uncertainty regarding the cause or expected duration of the alert, but the embassy’s message underscores a heightened security posture for Americans in Oman.

Oman’s Maritime Security Center reported that an oil tanker was attacked by an explosive-laden boat about 52 nautical miles off the coast of Muscat. According to a statement shared on the center’s X account and cited by Al Jazeera, the explosion caused a fire in the engine room, resulting in the death of one crew member. The remaining 21 crew members were evacuated safely from the vessel.

The Royal Navy of Oman has deployed a ship to monitor the condition of the damaged tanker. Authorities have also issued warnings to other vessels operating in the same waters to exercise caution following the incident.

The report did not specify who carried out the attack or the extent of the damage to the tanker, leaving key details about the motive and perpetrators unclear.

Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi has stated that the 'door of diplomacy' between Iran and the United States remains open, even as U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran enter their second day. The minister made the remarks on social media, emphasizing that dialogue remains possible despite the ongoing hostilities.

Albusaidi noted that recent talks held in Geneva had achieved real progress toward an unprecedented agreement between Iran and the United States. He stressed that although the goal had been to avoid war, the outbreak of conflict does not mean the end of hope for peace. The Omani minister reiterated his belief that diplomacy remains the strongest tool for resolving the crisis.

Oman has been acting as a mediator in the recent discussions between Tehran and Washington, and its statement signals continued efforts to maintain communication channels despite escalating tensions.

An oil tanker flying the Palau flag, named 'Skylight', was attacked about five nautical miles off Musandam, Oman, according to the country's maritime security center. The incident left four people injured, while all 20 crew members were safely rescued. No further details about the nature or source of the attack were immediately available.

The attack occurred shortly after two drone strikes targeted Oman’s Duqm port, injuring a foreign worker. The report noted that this latest incident follows a series of attacks across several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Jordan, which Iran had previously acknowledged.

Authorities have not yet provided additional information on the attackers or the extent of the damage, leaving the situation under investigation.

Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi issued his first public response following recent indirect talks between the United States and Iran, in which Oman acted as a mediator. In a social media post on February 28, 2026, Albusaidi said he was disappointed by the day’s attack, warning that it undermined ongoing serious discussions. He stated that such actions would not serve US interests or the cause of global peace, and expressed prayers for innocent people affected by the violence.

Albusaidi called on the United States to exercise restraint, declaring, “This is not your war.” His remarks came amid heightened tensions involving Iran, including reports of missile and drone launches toward Israel and claims that a commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard had been killed. The Omani minister’s statement reflects concern that renewed hostilities could derail diplomatic efforts and worsen regional instability.

The comments underscore Oman’s continued role as a mediator seeking to prevent escalation between Washington and Tehran, emphasizing dialogue over confrontation.

Oman has become the only Middle Eastern country to publicly oppose Israel’s recent attack on Iran. The strike occurred on Saturday morning while Oman was mediating indirect talks between the United States and Iran. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi expressed deep concern over the assault, saying it disrupted serious diplomatic discussions and failed to serve either U.S. interests or global peace.

In a social media post, Albusaidi said he was saddened by the attack and prayed for the innocent people affected by it. He urged the United States to avoid becoming further entangled in the conflict, emphasizing that it was not America’s war. Oman’s statement highlights its continued role as a regional mediator and its distinct stance amid rising tensions following the Israeli strike.

The comments come as Iran reportedly launched missiles and drones toward Israel and regional diplomatic contacts intensified, underscoring the fragile state of Middle Eastern security.

Iran’s state television reported that direct talks between Iran and the United States began on Friday in Oman. The discussions mark the first formal engagement between the two nations since the June conflict, during which the United States carried out strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities amid a 12-day war involving Israel. Iran has stated it remains prepared for self-defense, while U.S. President Donald Trump has not ruled out possible military action.

The Iranian delegation is led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and the U.S. side is represented by President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff. The previous round of talks was suspended during last year’s hostilities, and this new dialogue is seen as a significant diplomatic development following a prolonged period of confrontation.

Analysts cited in the report suggest that the renewed discussions could play a crucial role in shaping the future diplomatic course regarding Iran’s nuclear program and the broader security landscape in the Middle East.

Three members of a Bangladeshi family from Fatikchhari, Chattogram, were killed in a road accident in Oman on Friday night. The crash occurred around 8 p.m. local time in the Tambeet area of Salalah when a camel suddenly entered the road, causing their car to lose control and crash. Three other family members were seriously injured and are receiving treatment at a hospital in Salalah.

The deceased were identified as Bilkis Akter, wife of expatriate Md Shafiur Alam; their only son Muhammad Sakibul Hasan (Sabuj); and Bilkis’s son-in-law Muhammad Didar from Harualchhari Union. The injured include Sakib’s sister, his wife, and their young daughter. Relatives said the family had traveled from Muscat to Salalah a few days earlier to visit the shrine of Hazrat Ayub (A.) and were returning home when the accident occurred.

Local representatives in Fatikchhari reported that news of the deaths cast a deep shadow of grief over the family’s village, where residents are mourning the loss of three members from one household.

Romania’s Defense Ministry reported that a Russian drone entered its airspace during an assault on Ukraine, heightening regional tensions.

Following detection, Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and two Eurofighters, while civilians were warned to take shelter. The drone disappeared from radar near Chilia Veche village, close to the border.

The incident follows Poland’s closure of an airport in Lublin and the deployment of fighter jets after similar drone threats earlier in the week. NATO allies in Eastern Europe remain on high alert as Russia intensifies its drone warfare against Ukraine.