One Killed in Oil Tanker Attack Off Iraq Coast, Rescue Operation Still Ongoing
An attack on two oil tankers near Iraq killed at least one crew member on Thursday. Thirty-eight crew members were rescued while search and rescue operations continue for the missing, authorities said.
Attack Details
The attack occurred roughly 50 kilometers from Iraq’s coast. Farhan Al-Fartousi from Iraq’s General Company for Ports said authorities were still searching for missing crew members.
Iraq’s government described the incident as “sabotage” affecting two tankers. The authorities did not specify crew nationalities or immediately identify who was responsible for the attack.
Tankers Identified
The Maltese-flagged tanker ZEFYROS was attacked while preparing to enter the port of Khor Al-Zoubair. The vessel was scheduled to take on 30,000 tons of liquid naphtha used in petrochemical production.
The second targeted vessel, SAFESEA VISHNU, sailed under the Marshall Islands flag and was chartered by an Iraqi company. Both attacks occurred within a short timeframe in the same region.
Global Energy Markets Under Pressure
Iraq’s oil ministry expressed “deep concern” about tanker incidents in the Gulf. The ministry stated: “The safety of navigation in international maritime corridors and energy supply routes must remain free from regional conflicts.”
The Strait of Hormuz carrying one-fifth of the world’s oil remains closed to almost all tankers. Iran has vowed that not one liter of oil will be exported from the Gulf during its war with the United States and Israel.
Uncertain Attack Method
An employee at Iraq’s Basra oil terminal told reporters it remained unclear “whether it was a drone attack or explosive-laden boats.” Images broadcast by state television showed a ship with large plumes of smoke from a fire, though the source could not be verified.
The attack method affects assessments of Iranian capabilities and escalation patterns. Different attack methods carry different strategic implications.
US Warnings and Escalation
The US embassy in Baghdad warned that Iran and Tehran-backed Iraqi armed groups might target US-owned oil facilities in Iraq. The warning preceded the tanker attacks by hours.
President Trump said Wednesday that US forces had struck 28 Iranian mine-laying vessels more than a week into the Middle East war. The increasing naval operations demonstrate escalating military activity in the region.
Campaign to Disrupt Markets
The tanker attacks are part of Iran’s campaign to disrupt global energy markets. Iran is using maritime attacks and the Strait of Hormuz closure to create economic pressure on the United States and its allies.
The cumulative effect of attacks, closure, and shipping disruptions threatens global energy supplies and prices worldwide.
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