By Micah Jonah, March 12, 2026
At least five commercial vessels have been attacked in the Gulf region, including two oil tankers struck by explosive boats in Iraqi waters, raising fears of escalating maritime conflict linked to the ongoing war involving Iran, United States and Israel.
Port officials said the Marshall Islands flagged tanker Safesea Vishnu and the Malta flagged tanker Zefyros were set ablaze late Wednesday after explosive laden boats struck the vessels shortly after they departed from Iraq’s southern ports.
Rescue teams recovered the body of one foreign crew member from the water while search operations continued for other missing sailors.
Authorities said the tankers had loaded crude oil at facilities near the port of Umm Qasr in southern Iraq before the attacks occurred.
Maritime security sources also reported that three other ships were damaged in separate incidents across the Gulf.
The Thai flagged bulk carrier, Mayuree Naree was struck by two projectiles while sailing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire that damaged the vessel’s engine room. Twenty crew members were safely evacuated, while three others were reported missing during rescue efforts.
Another vessel, the Japanese operated container ship ONE Majesty, sustained minor damage from an unidentified projectile while anchored near the coast of the United Arab Emirates.
A third vessel, the Marshall Islands flagged bulk carrier Star Gwyneth, was also struck by a projectile while anchored northwest of Dubai. Maritime risk analysts said the attack damaged the vessel’s cargo hold but caused no injuries among the crew.
The incidents come amid growing tensions in the region as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz could become targets.
Shipping industry officials say the situation has significantly increased risks for commercial vessels moving through the waterway, which handles roughly one fifth of the world’s oil shipments.
Despite repeated requests from global shipping companies, the United States Navy has so far declined to provide routine military escorts for commercial ships passing through the strait, citing high risk of further attacks.
