Iran Attacks Two Oil Tankers Off Iraq, Kills Indian Crew Member

At least one crew member was killed and two oil tankers were set ablaze in Iraqi territorial waters after what multiple outlets describe as an Iranian attack near Basra/Khor al-Zubair, in an incident filmed from shore and described by authorities as part of an escalating campaign that is disrupting Middle East energy routes.

“Home / World News / Indian killed in Iranian 'suicide' boat attack on tanker in Iraqi waters Indian killed in Iranian 'suicide' boat attack on tanker in Iraqi waters An Indian national, whose name is being withheld at the moment, has reportedly been killed in the attack while the remaining 27 crew and personnel on the oil tanker have been rescued Advertisement”

Business Standard

Daily Sabah reported "At least one crew member was killed Thursday when an apparent Iranian attack set two oil tankers ablaze in Iraqi waters, escalating a campaign aimed at disrupting Middle East energy supplies after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran."

Daijiworld

Republic World said "Two oil tankers, including the US-owned Safesea Vishnu, were attacked in the Persian Gulf, resulting in at least one crew member's death."

Rudaw noted that "Iraqi port authorities announced the death of one crew member after two oil tankers were targeted in Iraq’s territorial waters, while 31 others were rescued alive."

The vessels identified in coverage were the U.S.-owned Safesea Vishnu, sailing under the Marshall/Marshall-similar flag, and the Maltese-flagged Zefyros; both were operating near the Khor al-Zubair/Faw port area in southern Iraq during ship-to-ship or anchorage operations when struck.

The Hindu reported "U.S.-owned and Marshal Island-flagged oil tanker Safesea Vishnu was attacked off Khor Al Zubair port on Wednesday inside Iraq’s territorial waters by an Iranian "suicide" boat, sources told PTI."

Daily Sabah

Daily Sabah said "Maltese-flagged oil tanker ZEFYROS was attacked as it was preparing to enter the port of Khor al-Zoubair" and described SAFESEA VISHNU as "sailing under the Marshall Islands flag."

National Herald wrote that the Safesea Vishnu was "sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands and owned by a United States-based company."

Reports differ on the weaponry used, but multiple outlets attribute the strikes to explosive unmanned boats or underwater drones and record statements from Iranian forces claiming responsibility for attacks in the same wave of incidents.

“At least one crew member was killed Thursday when an apparent Iranian attack set two oil tankers ablaze in Iraqi waters, escalating a campaign aimed at disrupting Middle East energy supplies after U”

Daily Sabah

Daily Sabah wrote that "Iraqi authorities said the vessels had been attacked overnight by Iranian boats laden with explosives."

IBT Singapore reported "The operation involved underwater drones and targeted two oil tankers" while NDTV described "a white-coloured unmanned speedboat carrying explosives approached the vessel from the starboard side and rammed into it."

Rudaw added that "According to preliminary investigations, the two vessels were attacked by suicide boats, though the source of the attack remains unknown."

Rescue tallies and the nationality breakdown of survivors vary across reports: some outlets say dozens were rescued while others give lower counts, and Indian authorities confirmed an Indian fatality and evacuated Indian crew members but used differing numbers in different statements.

Daily Sabah said "one crew member had been killed and 38 rescued while the 'search continues for the missing.'"

IndiaWest

The Hindu wrote "An Indian national, whose name is being withheld at the moment, has reportedly been killed in the attack, while the remaining 27 crew and personnel on the oil tanker have been rescued and taken to Basra" and also that "15 remaining Indian crew were rescued off the Safesea Vishnu oil tanker."

NDTV reported "The Iraqi Coast Guard evacuated all 28 crew members, including 16 Indian nationals and 12 Filipino nationals," and The Quint said the "Indian embassy in Baghdad confirmed the fatality" while noting broader evacuation and diplomatic follow-up.

Observers and regional governments warned of wider consequences: outlets reported disruptions to navigation and energy markets, diplomatic condemnations by India and emergency market moves such as reserve releases.

“A major escalation in the West Asia conflict has allegedly claimed the life of an Indian national after an Iranian "suicide" boat reportedly targeted the US-owned crude oil tanker Safesea Vishnu near the Khor Al Zubair port inIraq”

India TV News

Daily Sabah highlighted that "The Strait of Hormuz, the waterway carrying a fifth of the world's oil, remains closed to almost all oil tankers and Iran has vowed that not 1 liter of oil would be exported from the Gulf while its war with the United States and Israel continues."

International Business Times Singapore

The Quint said "Oil prices surged following the attacks, with market analysis showing Brent crude rising over 6% and West Texas Intermediate crude up nearly 6%" and that "The International Energy Agency announced a coordinated release of oil reserves."

The Indian Express reported that "India deplores the fact that commercial shipping is being made a target of military attacks" and that India "co-sponsored a resolution in the United Nations Security Council that condemned the 'egregious' attacks by Iran."