Tanker Attacked by Unmanned Boats Near Iraq

A U. S.

-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, the Safesea Vishnu, was attacked by two explosive-laden unmanned boats at the Iraqi port of Khor Al Zubair. The incident resulted in one fatality among the 28 crew members and caused a fire on the vessel.

The tanker was engaged in ship-to-ship loading of naphtha at the time of the assault.

An early assessment by the vessel's owner indicates the attack was deliberate. The incident highlights increased maritime security risks in the region, particularly near the Strait of Hormuz, which handles a significant portion of global oil transit.

The U. S.

Navy has reportedly declined escort requests for commercial vessels due to high attack risks.

Another vessel, the Malta-flagged Zefyros, also sustained a projectile strike during the same assault, though all 23 crew were safely evacuated. The shipping industry faces a dangerous and uncertain security situation in the region, impacting commercial shipping lanes.