Oman said Sunday it had rescued 23 crew members from a commercial ship after the vessel was targeted off the coast of Musandam, while search operations remain underway for one missing crew member. In a statement, Oman’s Maritime Security Center said it responded to a distress call from the Cypriot-flagged GFS Galaxy 4.4 nautical miles off the coast of Musandam Governorate. “Twenty-three crew members were rescued and provided with necessary medical care. Search operations are continuing for one crew member who remains missing,” the statement said. It gave no further information about the incident. The incident comes amid heightened maritime tensions in the region, with authorities monitoring security threats affecting commercial shipping routes. Earlier on Sunday, a Omani security source said drones targeted sites in the Musandam Governorate. The Sultanate of Oman condemned the attack and affirmed that it is taking all necessary measures to address these developments and safeguard the country and its residents. The Sultanate added that security forces continue to monitor the area closely following this incident, as the country takes decisive steps to address these ongoing security developments. The Musandam Governorate is located in the far north of the Sultanate and overlooks the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, carrying around a quarter of global seaborne oil trade and significant volumes of liquefied natural gas and fertilizers. The Strait serves as the gateway that links the Gulf to the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean. Musandam includes four wilayats: Khasab, Dibba, Bukha, and Madha. On Sunday, US Central Command said the Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels and US military forces are “positioned and prepared” to ensure freedom of navigation, a day after US and Iranian forces exchanged fire and Iran said it had closed the vital waterway.
