Two sailors have gone missing after a drone attack on the Petro Dolphin tanker off the coast of the city of Sohar, Oman. This attack is regarded as a suspicious act by Iran and occurred in an area considered neutral. The incident has particularly drawn global attention following Iran's recent agreements with the government of Oman regarding maritime power-sharing in the Strait of Hormuz.
Details of the attack and the status of the sailors
On Sunday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that the attack on the Petro Dolphin tanker had taken place. The Indian government officially stated that this vessel is a small tanker produced and owned by the United Arab Emirates. In this incident, nine crew members have been rescued, and search operations for the two missing sailors are ongoing. India's Shipping Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, outlined the current situation in a statement.
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Features of the Petro Dolphin tanker and its history
The Petro Dolphin tanker, built in 2004, has a deadweight capacity of 4,000 tons and is owned and operated by the United Arab Emirates. Historically, there are no reports of inspections at a state port, indicating its internal operational pattern. Additionally, records related to the vessel show that its flag has been illegally registered in Nicaragua. The AIS signal of this vessel has not been transferred to commercial services since May 2026, indicating potential further operational issues.
This attack occurred in some maritime areas that traditionally do not experience military conflicts and is likely to escalate existing tensions between Iran and regional countries. Given the recent agreements between Iran and Oman, this attack could have deeper implications for maritime security in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
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