Drones Hit Fuel Tank at Oman’s Duqm Port

A view of the Port of Duqm, Oman. (Oman News Agency)
A view of the Port of Duqm, Oman. (Oman News Agency)
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Drones Hit Fuel Tank at Oman’s Duqm Port

A view of the Port of Duqm, Oman. (Oman News Agency)
A view of the Port of Duqm, Oman. (Oman News Agency)

Drones targeted an Omani port on Tuesday, hitting a fuel tank, state media said, as Iran presses its campaign against the Gulf in response to US and Israeli strikes.

"A security source reported that fuel tanks at the commercial port of Duqm were targeted by a number of drones, one of which hit a fuel tank. The resulting damage was contained without any human casualties," the Oman News Agency (ONA) said.

The attack is the second on the port in three days, as Iran broadens its targets in the Gulf.

Oman, which played a mediation role in talks between the US and Iran, has called for a ceasefire in the war.

On Sunday, a worker was injured when two drones struck the same port. One hit accommodation for workers, while debris from the other landed near fuel tanks, reported ONA.

They were the first attacks on the Sultanate since war broke out, with Oman facing strikes despite acting as a mediator between Iran and the United States just days prior to the conflict.

On Monday, one person was killed in an attack on an oil tanker off the coast of the capital Muscat that caused an explosion and fire, authorities said.

The blast in the vessel's main engine room killed one crew member, an Indian national.



Saudi Foreign Minister, Russian Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
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Saudi Foreign Minister, Russian Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Friday a phone call from his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the telephone conversation, they discussed regional developments, their security and economic implications, and joint efforts to preserve regional stability, SPA said.


Saudi Arabia Says Hantavirus Risk to Kingdom Is ‘Very Low’

A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
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Saudi Arabia Says Hantavirus Risk to Kingdom Is ‘Very Low’

A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Saudi Arabia’s Public Health Authority (Weqaya) said Friday it is closely monitoring, in coordination with international health organizations, reports of hantavirus cases linked to a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean.

In a statement, the authority said the current assessment indicates a low level of risk and that the likelihood of the virus reaching Saudi Arabia is “very low,” given the effectiveness of the Kingdom’s early warning channels, epidemiological surveillance tools, food safety monitoring systems, environmental public health controls, border monitoring measures, and preventive procedures in place across the country.

The statement said hantavirus is considered a rare viral disease, but infection can be serious. The virus is typically transmitted to humans through exposure to infected rodents’ secretions, including urine, feces, or saliva, or through inhalation of contaminated particles.

The authority added that human-to-human transmission is uncommon and has been documented only in limited cases linked to a specific strain of the virus and involving prolonged close contact.

Hantavirus is usually transmitted to humans through exposure to secretions from infected rodents (Reuters)

Weqaya said the advisory comes as part of its ongoing efforts to promote public health awareness among travelers, particularly during the summer season, which sees increased travel and movement.

The authority urged the public to follow general preventive measures that help reduce the risk of infectious diseases, whether linked to hantavirus or other outbreaks.

It also advised travelers to follow official health guidance, verify preventive requirements before traveling, pay attention to food and water safety, maintain personal hygiene, avoid contact with rodents or areas where they may be present, stay away from unsafe food or unsanitary locations, and ensure appropriate health coverage during travel.

Weqaya called on the public to rely on official sources for information and avoid rumors or unverified reports, stressing that it would announce any public health developments when necessary.


Saudi, Egyptian FMs Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
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Saudi, Egyptian FMs Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held telephone talks on Friday with his Egyptian counterpart Dr. Badr Abdelatty.

They discussed developments in the region, underscoring their continued coordination and consultations over them.