A projectile strike on a Kuwait-flagged oil tanker near Oman’s Bukha coast has triggered fresh concerns over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, with a fire breaking out aboard the vessel amid escalating Middle East tensions. The tanker, M/T Al Dasma, was struck on October 21, raising fresh alarms over the safety of commercial shipping across the Gulf. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that all 21 Indian seafarers aboard the tanker are safe. The vessel remains stationary following the incident as authorities monitor the situation and assess the damage. 

Israel has introduced sweeping new restrictions on foreign airline crews, barring pilots and cabin crew holding nationalities from 31 countries from operating flights to the country. The restrictions reportedly include Pakistan, Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Tunisia and Niger, raising fresh questions over international aviation, airline compliance and the future of flights to and from Tel Aviv. Air France has agreed to comply with Israel’s new aviation rules, which require foreign airlines to adhere to nationality-based restrictions for crew members operating flights to Israel. WATCH