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.

The Oman government has extended the validity of expatriate resident cards from two to three years, allowing expats to choose one, two, or three-year cards by paying respective fees. Fees are 5 rials for one year, 10 for two, and 15 for three years, with a 20-rial replacement fee for lost or damaged cards. Omani citizens’ personal ID validity is now up to 10 years. Residents must renew documents within 30 days of expiry. Around 1.8 million Bangladeshis currently live in Oman.

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq has granted amnesty to 645 prisoners, including both Omani and foreign nationals, on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. The royal decree, announced Thursday, highlights the Sultan’s commitment to humanitarian values by releasing over six hundred inmates and arranging the repatriation of foreign prisoners at the state’s expense. Sultan Haitham, who ascended the throne in 2020, extended his Eid greetings to the released prisoners and their families, emphasizing Oman’s focus on mercy, unity, and social cohesion.