- Iranian gunboats attacked two oil tankers in Iraqi waters.
- Bulk carrier with Thailand flag damaged off Oman.
- Most of the crew were evacuated and three are feared missing.
Iranian ships laden with explosives appear to have attacked two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters, setting them on fire and killing a crew member on Wednesday, after projectiles hit three vessels in Gulf waters, port, maritime security and risk companies 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 fighting began.
Shipping in the Gulf and along the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of the world’s oil, has been nearly paralyzed since the United States and Israel began attacks on Iran on February 28, sending global oil prices soaring to highs not seen since 2022.
The ships attacked late at night by gunboats in the Gulf near Iraq were the Marshall Islands-flagged Safesea Vishnu and the Zefyros, which had loaded fuel cargoes in Iraq, two Iraqi port officials said.
“We recovered the body of a foreign crew member from the water,” a port security official said, as Iraqi rescue teams continued searching for other missing sailors. It was not immediately clear which ship the person was linked to.
The US-based commercial operator and beneficiary operator of Safesea Vishnu are Safesea Transport Group and Safesea Group, respectively, according to data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence. They did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
An Iraqi port security source said 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 that name and description, according to data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence. Lloyd’s data shows UK-based Cygnus Tankers Limited as the business operator and the George & Vassilis Michael family group of companies, a key player in Greek shipping, as the beneficial owner.
Cygnus Tankers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Reuters could not immediately contact 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 escalate US strikes against Iran if it continues to block the Strait.
The Thai-flagged dry bulk carrier Mayuree Naree was hit by “two projectiles of unknown origin” while sailing through the strait early Wednesday, causing a fire and damaging the engine room, the ship’s operator, Thailand-listed Precious Shipping, said in a statement.
“Three crew members are missing and 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,” he said, adding that the remaining 20 crew members had been safely evacuated and were on the ground in Oman.
Footage provided by the Thai navy showed smoke billowing from the rear of the ship.
Iran’s Guards said in a statement carried by the Tasnim news agency that the ship was “fired upon by Iranian fighters,” suggesting the first direct confrontation by the Guards, who had previously fired missiles or drones.
The US Navy has rejected almost daily requests from the shipping industry for military escorts through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war with Iran, saying the risk of attacks is too high for now, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Trump has said the United States is prepared to provide naval escorts when necessary.
Two other ships suffer 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 companies said.
Its Japanese owner, Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd, and a spokesman for Ocean Network Express, its charterer, said the ship was struck while anchored in the Gulf, and an inspection of the hull revealed minor damage above the waterline.
All crew are safe, they said, adding that the ship remains fully operational and seaworthy. The owner said the cause of the incident was still 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 companies said.
The shell had damaged the hull of the Marshall Islands-flagged Star Gwyneth, maritime risk management company Vanguard said, adding that the ship’s crew were safe. Owner Star Bulk Carriers said the ship was hit in the hold area while anchored. There were no injuries to the crew or any listing.
The Guards’ statement included a reference to another ship, which they said was hit by projectiles – usually referring to drones – on Wednesday morning. Reuters could not immediately confirm that report.
