By Gloria Nosa
Two oil tankers were engulfed in flames early Tuesday after being struck by explosives in waters off Iraq’s southern coast, an attack authorities have linked to the widening regional conflict involving Iran.
The vessels — the Marshall Islands–flagged Safesea Vishnu and Zefyros — were reportedly hit around 1:30 a.m. local time by what maritime monitors described as an “unidentified projectile.” According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the blasts triggered massive fires that quickly spread across both tankers.
Initial investigations suggest the ships may have been targeted by unmanned explosive boats — remote-controlled craft that function similarly to aerial drones but operate on water.
Casualties and Rescue Efforts
Iraqi media reports indicate that 38 crew members were rescued following the explosions, while one person was confirmed dead. Emergency teams and nearby vessels rushed to the scene to evacuate sailors and contain the blaze.
The attack took place in waters close to the port region of southern Iraq. According to Farhan al-Fartousi, head of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, the tankers were transporting Iraqi fuel oil when they were struck inside the country’s territorial waters.
Al-Fartousi confirmed that the explosions ignited fires on both ships, forcing maritime authorities to respond rapidly to prevent the flames from spreading or triggering further explosions.
Ports Temporarily Shut
In the aftermath of the incident, Iraqi authorities suspended operations at several oil export and import terminals as a precaution. However, container shipping facilities remain open, allowing commercial trade unrelated to oil transport to continue.
The shutdown highlights the vulnerability of energy infrastructure in the region, where maritime traffic is vital to the global oil market.
Another Vessel Hit Near UAE
In a related development, a container ship was also struck overnight off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. The vessel caught fire after the impact, though officials confirmed that all crew members survived the incident.
The near-simultaneous attacks have heightened fears of a broader campaign targeting shipping lanes across the Gulf region.
Strategic Importance of the Strait of Hormuz
The escalation has drawn renewed attention to the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz — the narrow maritime passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean.
Roughly 20 percent of the world’s crude oil shipments move through the strait, with around 80 oil and gas tankers passing through it each day. Any disruption to this corridor could have significant consequences for global energy supplies and international shipping.
Security analysts warn that continued attacks on vessels in the area could push tensions even higher and potentially disrupt one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes.
