Six Ships Targeted by Iranian Boats in Persian Gulf and Iraqi Waters
Security and maritime risk firms reported that Iranian explosive-laden boats and missiles targeted six ships and fuel tankers in the Persian Gulf and Iraqi waters, killing one crew member.
The attacks on vessels linked to the United States and Europe signal an escalation in the conflict between Iran and American-Israeli forces, bringing the total number of ships hit in the region since the conflict began to at least 16.
Shipping in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which handles about one-fifth of global oil, has nearly halted since U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran began on Feb. 28, pushing world oil prices to their highest since 2022.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that if attacks on Iran continue, it will prevent "one liter of oil" from the Middle East reaching the U.S., Israel or their partners.
U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Washington would respond with harsher strikes if Iran blocks oil exports, adding that oil firms should use the strait as Iran's navy has been nearly destroyed.
A Reuters report cited two Iraqi port officials identifying two late-Wednesday targets near Iraq: the Marshall Islands-flagged Safiya Vishnu and Malta-flagged Zephyrus, both loaded with fuel in Iraq.
Iraq's State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) said Safiya Vishnu was chartered by an Iraqi firm contracted with SOMO, while Zephyrus carried gas condensate from Basra Gas Company. Both were hit during ship-to-ship transfers in Iraqi territorial waters.
Iraq's state news agency, quoting the head of the state ports company, said oil ports have fully suspended operations, though commercial ports continue. Britain's Maritime Trade Operations reported the crew of one evacuated ship is safe.
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