MUSCAT, Oman — Oman evacuated tens of thousands of people Wednesday, suspended oil exports, and closed the major port of Sohar as a weakening Cyclone Gonu roared toward the Strait of Hormuz — the world's major transport artery for Persian Gulf oil.

Oil prices rose amid forecasts that the strongest storm to threaten the Arabian Peninsula in 60 years was barreling toward Iran.

As heavy rains lashed coastal areas, authorities closed all operations at the port of Sohar and evacuated the 11,000 workers, port spokesman Dirk Jan De Vink said.

Sohar's oil refinery and petrochemical plant remained running at very low levels, with authorities considering a total shutdown, he said.

De Vink said he and the other beachfront residents of the city of 60,000 were leaving their homes, all threatened by rising tides and large waves pushed by the approaching storm.

"These people know the force of the sea and they're doing the right thing," he said. "Most of them are leaving or have already left."

Nasser bin Khamis al-Jashimi of the Ministry of Oil and Gas said rough seas prevented tankers from sailing from Omani ports, effectively halting the country's oil exports.

But production was continuing except in one small field, he said.

Electricity went out in Muscat by noon today, as winds of 62 mph hit the capital. Oman television broadcast video of flooded streets and buildings. Health ministry official Ali bin Gaafar bin Mohammed said rescue workers had difficulties reaching affected areas.

Even with the weaker wind speeds, Gonu is believed to be the strongest cyclone to hit the Arabian Peninsula since record keeping started in 1945. A cyclone is the term used for hurricanes in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific.