Explosion near Mina al-Fahal: Omani terminal suspends oil loading

Omani terminal Mina al-Fahal suspended oil loading today after an explosion between its berths, Reuters reported overnight, citing two sources. The agency later reported that local state media said the terminal was operating normally.

The explosion was apparently caused by a drone attack, according to Reuters, and occurred between two loading buoys used to connect subsea pipelines to supertankers. Data released by maritime tracking company LSEG show several supertankers anchored at the port.

After the United States and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February, Tehran retaliated by sending attack drones and ballistic missiles towards Arab countries in the Persian Gulf, often targeting oil and gas industry infrastructure. However, it avoided attacks on Oman, as the country has traditionally had good relations with Iran and previously acted as a mediator in talks between Tehran and Washington. A ceasefire between the US and Iran has been in effect since 8 April, but both sides have violated it several times.