6 Ships Attacked in the Gulf and Hormuz Strait

SadaNews - Maritime security and risk management agencies have announced that 4 ships were struck by unknown projectiles in the Hormuz Strait, while Iran apparently attacked two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters with boats laden with explosives, leading to a fire on board and the death of one crew member on Wednesday.

These latest attacks on ships linked to the United States and Europe are seen as an escalation in the conflict between Iran and American and Israeli forces, raising the number of ships that have been attacked in the region since the fighting began to at least 16.

Traffic through the strait, where about one-fifth of the world's oil passes, has nearly come to a complete standstill since the United States and Israel began bombing Iran on February 28, which has driven global oil prices to levels not seen since 2022.

Trump threatened to intensify bombing on Iran if it prevented oil exports, stating that energy companies should use the strait because "almost all of the Iranian fleet has disappeared."

Iraqi port officials stated that the two vessels targeted in overnight attacks by armed boats in the Gulf near Iraq are the "Seafcy Vishnu," which flies the Marshall Islands flag, and the "Zephyrus," which flies the Maltese flag, both loaded with fuel shipments from Iraq.

Iraq's oil marketing company (SOMO) confirmed that the tanker Seafcy Vishnu is leased to a contracting Iraqi company, and the tanker Zephyrus is loaded with condensates from Basra Gas Company.

SOMO added that the two tankers were attacked in the side loading area within Iraqi territorial waters.

The official Iraqi News Agency quoted Farhan Al-Fartousi, the director general of Iraq’s General Ports Company, stating that oil ports in the country have completely halted operations following the attacks, while commercial ports continue their activities.

The British Maritime Trade Operations Agency reported that the crew members of one of the two vessels were evacuated and confirmed that they are safe.

Al-Fartousi explained to Reuters that a vessel belonging to Iraq's Ports Company rescued 25 crew members from the two ships and that fires are still raging on board, as Iraqi rescue teams continue to search for other sailors.