A series of attacks on commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf has raised concerns about the safety of shipping in one of the world’s most important energy corridors. Several ships were struck by projectiles or explosive devices, while two fuel tankers caught fire after being targeted in Iraqi waters near the port city of Basra. The incidents occurred amid ongoing fighting involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, and have already affected maritime traffic and oil markets.
According to port authorities and maritime security sources, the two tankers damaged near Iraq were the Safesea Vishnu and the Zefyros. Both ships had loaded fuel cargo in Iraq before the attacks occurred during ship-to-ship transfer operations inside Iraqi territorial waters. Explosive boats believed to be linked to Iran approached the vessels and detonated, leaving both tankers burning in the water.
Rescue teams responded quickly to the emergency. Crews from the Iraqi Ports Company pulled dozens of sailors from the sea and nearby vessels. Officials reported that 25 crew members were saved, although at least one foreign sailor was found dead. Search teams continued looking for additional missing seafarers after the fires broke out aboard the tankers.
The Safesea Vishnu had been chartered by an Iraqi company working with the State Organization for Marketing of Oil, while the Zefyros was carrying condensate products loaded from Basra Gas Company. After the attacks, Iraqi authorities suspended operations at the country’s oil export terminals as a precaution, although other commercial port activities were allowed to continue.
The strikes were not limited to the tankers near Basra. Multiple vessels traveling through the nearby Strait of Hormuz were also hit or damaged during the same period. The Thai-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree was struck by projectiles that caused a fire in the engine room. Three crew members were reported missing, while the remaining sailors were evacuated safely to Oman.
Other ships reported damage as well. The Japanese container vessel ONE Majesty was hit while anchored in Gulf waters, suffering minor hull damage above the waterline. Another ship, the bulk carrier Star Gwyneth, was struck northwest of Dubai, leaving a damaged hold but no reported injuries among its crew.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s busiest maritime routes, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Around one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments move through this narrow waterway, making any disruption in the area a matter of international concern. In recent days, shipping activity has slowed as companies reassess the risks of sending vessels through the region.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned that ships passing through the strait could be targeted if military operations against Iran continue. The United States Navy has received requests from shipping companies seeking naval escorts, though such protection has not yet been widely deployed due to safety concerns.
The attacks have also influenced global energy markets. Oil prices briefly climbed above $100 per barrel as traders reacted to the possibility that maritime routes in the Gulf could face further disruption. Governments and shipping companies are now closely monitoring the situation as the conflict continues to affect one of the most vital routes for global energy transport.
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