The widening conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel has now reached one of the Gulf’s most strategically important maritime hubs. On March 11, 2026, multiple drones struck fuel storage tanks at the Port of Salalah in Oman, igniting fires and raising alarm across global energy and shipping markets. Authorities confirmed that while several drones were intercepted, others managed to penetrate air defences and hit oil storage infrastructure at the port.
Although the attack caused significant fires in at least two fuel tanks, officials said no casualties were reported among port workers or residents, and merchant vessels docked nearby were not damaged. The incident marks the latest escalation in a regional war that has rapidly expanded beyond Iran, Israel and US targets to threaten Gulf energy infrastructure and maritime trade routes.
Fires at a strategic energy hub in Oman amid Iran vs US-Israel war
Located along the Arabian Sea in Oman’s Dhofar region, the Port of Salalah is one of the Middle East’s key shipping and logistics hubs. The port handles container traffic, oil storage, and bunkering operations serving ships moving between Asia, Europe and Africa. When the drones struck the facility, fuel tanks at the port’s storage area were set ablaze, sending plumes of smoke into the sky. Videos circulating online showed flames engulfing sections of the oil depot.
Authorities said emergency services responded quickly to contain the fires, while security forces scrambled to intercept additional drones approaching the area. Several unmanned aerial vehicles were successfully shot down before reaching the port. Despite the quick response, at least one drone managed to strike the storage area, highlighting the growing vulnerability of critical energy infrastructure across the Gulf.
Shipping and port operations disrupted in Oman's Salalah port amid Iran vs US-Israel war
Following the attack, port operations were temporarily disrupted and shipping companies began reassessing safety conditions in the region. One of the port’s major terminal operators confirmed that container terminal operations were paused until further notice, while vessels in nearby waters were advised to remain alert.
Global shipping giant Maersk also halted activities at the port after the strike, citing security concerns around the facility. The shutdown highlights how attacks on a single energy storage facility can ripple through global supply chains, particularly in the Gulf, which handles a significant portion of the world’s oil and container shipping traffic.
The Salalah strike is not an isolated incident. It is part of a broader campaign targeting ports, refineries and energy infrastructure across the region since the outbreak of the Iran-US-Israel war on February 28, 2026. Since the conflict began, several Gulf facilities have been hit or threatened by drone and missile strikes. Earlier in March, Oman’s Port of Duqm was also targeted by drones, damaging fuel storage tanks and injuring a foreign worker.
In other incidents:
- A drone struck a fuel tank at Duqm port earlier in the month.
- An oil tanker near Oman’s coast was also attacked during the escalation.
- Several Gulf states hosting US military assets have reported aerial threats or interceptions.
These incidents have heightened fears that the conflict is expanding beyond military targets to economic infrastructure, particularly oil storage and shipping facilities.
Iran denies role in Salalah Port drone strike amid war with US-Israel
Iran has suggested that the drone strike on Oman’s Port of Salalah may have been part of a “false flag” operation, raising doubts about who was truly responsible for the attack. In a statement attributed to the Khatam al-Anbiya (Holy Prophet’s) Central Headquarters, which coordinates Iran’s armed forces, a spokesperson described the incident as “suspicious” and said the Islamic Republic was examining the circumstances surrounding the strike.
Iranian officials denied that their military had intentionally targeted Oman, emphasising that the Sultanate is considered a “friend and neighbour” and that Iran does not seek confrontation with nearby Muslim countries. Tehran instead warned that the United States and Israel could be attempting false-flag attacks on regional infrastructure in order to blame Iran and widen the conflict across the Gulf.
According to the Iranian statement, such actions could involve targeting diplomatic sites or strategic facilities in neighboring states to “tarnish Iran’s image” and draw additional countries into the war.
Why Oman matters in the Iran vs US-Israel conflict
What makes the Salalah strike particularly significant is Oman’s historical role as a neutral mediator in Middle Eastern diplomacy. For decades, the Sultanate has maintained cordial relations with both Iran and Western nations, often hosting secret diplomatic negotiations. Oman played a critical role in facilitating early back-channel talks that eventually led to the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement. Due to this neutral position, Oman has largely avoided becoming a battlefield in regional conflicts.
However, the latest drone attacks suggest the war may now be spilling into countries that have traditionally stayed outside the confrontation. Analysts say the targeting of Omani infrastructure could be intended to send a message to Gulf states perceived as cooperating with US or Israeli military activities.
Rising risks for global energy markets amid Iran vs US-Israel war
The strike on Salalah has triggered concerns about the safety of oil infrastructure across the Gulf. The region is home to some of the world’s most critical energy facilities, including major refineries, export terminals and shipping routes. Energy analysts warn that continued attacks on fuel depots and ports could have several consequences:
- disruptions to global oil supply
- spikes in fuel prices
- shipping insurance surcharges
- rerouting of tankers away from conflict zones
Even relatively small disruptions can cause major ripple effects in global markets because the Gulf region exports a significant portion of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas.
The growing role of drone warfare
The attack also illustrates the increasing role of drones in modern warfare, particularly in the Middle East. Compared with traditional missiles or air strikes, drones are cheaper to deploy, harder to detect, capable of traveling long distances and capable of targeting infrastructure with precision.
Many of the drones used in regional conflicts resemble loitering munitions, sometimes called “kamikaze drones,” which hover near targets before striking. Their growing use has transformed how conflicts affect infrastructure, allowing attackers to strike ports, refineries and airports far from traditional battlefields.
Iran’s position and regional claims amid war with US-Israel
While many analysts and security firms attribute the attacks to Iranian retaliation against US and Israeli targets, Tehran has previously denied responsibility for some strikes on neighbouring countries. Iranian officials have argued that attacks against neutral states could be part of attempts by rival actors to widen the conflict and blame Iran.
At the same time, Western and Gulf officials say Iran’s military strategy increasingly involves targeting energy infrastructure across the region as part of its broader confrontation with Washington and Tel Aviv. The attack on Salalah highlights how the ongoing war is gradually spreading across the region.
According to regional reports, the escalating conflict has already caused significant casualties and damage across multiple countries, with thousands affected. Each new attack increases the risk of further escalation, especially if critical energy infrastructure or shipping routes are repeatedly targeted.
The drone strike on Oman’s Port of Salalah marks a dangerous new phase in the Iran vs US-Israel conflict, one that threatens not just military targets but the economic lifelines of the Gulf region. For a country like Oman, long known for its diplomatic neutrality, the attack underscores how the conflict is expanding far beyond its original battlegrounds.
With energy facilities, shipping hubs and ports increasingly under threat, the war is no longer confined to missiles and military bases. It is now testing the resilience of global trade routes and energy supply chains and if attacks on strategic ports continue, the ripple effects may soon be felt not just across the Middle East but across the global economy.