- Armed Iranian boats attacked two tankers in Iraqi waters.
- Thai-flagged bulk carrier damaged off Oman.
- Most crew evacuated, three feared missing.
Iranian boats laden with explosives appear to have attacked two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters, setting them on fire and killing one crew member on Wednesday after projectiles hit three vessels in Gulf waters, port, maritime security and risk firms said.
The latest attacks mark an escalation in the conflict between Iran and US-Israeli forces, bringing to at least 16 the number of ships attacked in the region since the fighting began.
Shipping in the Gulf and along the narrow Strait of Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of the world’s oil, has come to a near standstill since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, sending global oil prices soaring to heights not seen since 2022.
The ships targeted in late-night armed boat attacks in the Gulf near Iraq were the Marshall Islands-flagged Safesea Vishnu and the Zefyros, which had been loading fuel cargoes in Iraq, two Iraqi port officials said.
“We found the body of a foreign crew member out of the water,” a port security official said, as Iraqi rescue teams continued to search for other missing sailors. It was not immediately clear which ship the person was attached to.
Safesea Vishnu’s US-based commercial operator and beneficial operator are Safesea Transport Group and Safesea Group, respectively, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence data. They did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
An Iraqi port security source said the Zefyros is flagged in Malta and provided Reuters with a list of crew names.
Zefyros Trading SA is the registered owner of the tanker matching this name and description, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence data. Lloyd’s data shows UK-based Cygnus Tankers Limited as the commercial operator and the George & Vassilis Michael family of companies, a key player in Greek shipping, as the beneficial owner.
Cygnus Tankers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Reuters was not able to immediately reach the other two entities.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has warned that any ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz will be attacked. US President Donald Trump has threatened to increase US attacks on Iran if it continues to block the strait.
The Thai-flagged dry cargo vessel Mayuree Naree was hit by “two projectiles of unknown origin” while sailing through the strait earlier Wednesday, causing a fire and damage to the engine room, the ship’s Thai-listed operator Precious Shipping said in a statement.
“Three crew members have been reported missing and are believed to be trapped in the engine room,” Precious Shipping said.
“The company is working with the relevant authorities to rescue these three missing crew members,” it said, adding that the remaining 20 crew members had been safely evacuated and were ashore in Oman.
Pictures provided by the Thai Navy showed smoke pouring from the back of the ship.
Iran’s Guards said in a statement carried by the Tasnim news agency that the ship was “fired by Iranian fighters”, marking the first direct engagement by the Guards, who have fired missiles or drones in the past.
The US Navy has turned down almost daily requests from the shipping industry for a military escort through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war with Iran, saying the risk of attack is too high for now, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Trump has said the US is prepared to provide naval escort when needed.
Two other ships receive minor damage
The Japanese-flagged container ship ONE Majesty also suffered minor damage on Wednesday from an unknown projectile 25 nautical miles (46 km) northwest of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, two maritime security firms said.
Its Japanese owner, Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd and a spokesman for Ocean Network Express, its charterer, said the vessel was hit while at anchor in the Gulf and an inspection of the hull revealed minor damage above the waterline.
All crew are safe, they said, adding that the vessel remains fully operational and seaworthy. The owner said the cause of the incident remained unclear and was under investigation.
A third vessel, a bulk carrier, was also hit by an unknown projectile about 50 miles (30 miles) northwest of Dubai, maritime security firms said.
The projectile had damaged the hull of the Marshall Islands flag Star Gwyneth, maritime risk management company Vanguard said, adding that the vessel’s crew were safe. Owner Star Bulk Carriers said the ship was hit in the hold while at anchor. There were no crew injuries and no listing.
The Guard’s statement included a reference to another ship that it said was hit by projectiles – usually a reference to drones – on Wednesday morning. Reuters was not immediately able to confirm this report.
