Iran starts ‘indiscriminate’ strikes across Gulf of Oman, hits shadow tanker tied to regime

Iran is conducting "indiscriminate" targeting of vessels crossed the Gulf of Oman and the wider Persian Gulf pursuing the motorboat of U.S.-Israeli strikes nether Operation Epic Fury, according to a maritime quality firm.

Windward AI noted the sanctioned Palau-flagged tanker Skylight was deed arsenic the struggle crossed the Middle East entered its 2nd day, with the tanker besides holding Iranian nationals among the unit and ties to the regime.

"Analysis of vas affiliations, targeting patterns, and cargo information points to a strategy of indiscriminate country denial — not precision targeting — aimed astatine demonstrating Iran's capableness to disrupt the Strait and deter commercialized shipping," the steadfast said Monday.

Gulf of Oman tanker attacks escalate arsenic Iran retaliates against Operation Epic Fury with missiles targeting U.S. allies, disrupting commercialized postulation done choke point. (Reuters)

Iran has been retaliating with missiles and drones targeting U.S. and allied positions crossed the region, including successful Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

Maritime postulation done the Strait of Hormuz which links the Gulf of Oman to the Persian Gulf, is the world’s astir captious vigor chokepoint.

While 3 different vessels were reported attacked since the hostilities escalated Feb.28, Windward described Skylight arsenic "the highest-risk vas successful the radical and the astir anomalous target."

The UKMTO Operation Centre besides aboriginal confirmed attacks connected Skylight, MKD Vyom and Hercules Star, informing of important subject enactment crossed the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the North Arabian Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.

Skylight had been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control successful December 2025, and was utilized to transport Iranian petroleum products, according to reports.

It was operated by United Arab Emirates-based Red Sea Ship Management LLC, which Windward noted has documented ties to beforehand companies linked to Iran’s Ministry of Defense.

The vas had been astatine anchor since Feb. 22 and carried 20 unit members — 15 Indians and 5 Iranians.

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A outer presumption of the Strait of Hormuz, a captious chokepoint for planetary vigor supply, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.  (Gallo Images/Orbital Horizon/Copernicus Sentinel Data 2025/Amanda Macias/Fox News Digital)

"The Skylight anomaly — striking a vas with an Iranian crew, Iranian operational ties, and progressive OFAC sanctions — is the azygous strongest portion of grounds against deliberate targeting by affiliation," Windward said.

Reuters besides reported March 1 that the Palau-flagged tanker was deed disconnected Oman’s Musandam Peninsula successful the Gulf of Oman, injuring four.

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Oman’s Maritime Security Center said successful a station connected X that Skylight was attacked astir 5 nautical miles northbound of Khasab Port, caught occurrence and was evacuated.

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