Iran attacks US-owned oil tanker near Basra, kills Indian sailor

A US-owned crude oil tanker, the Safesea Vishnu, sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, was attacked near Basra, Iraq on March 11, 2026, and one Indian crew member was killed while the remaining 15 Indian sailors were evacuated to safety, according to the Indian Embassy and multiple reports.

“Daijiworld Media Network - Basra Basra, Mar 12: An Indian national was killed after an Iranian “suicide” boat attacked the US-owned oil tanker Safesea Vishnu near Iraq’s territorial waters, according to reports”

Daijiworld

The Indian embassy said on social media: “On 11 March 2026, a US-owned crude oil tanker, Safesea Vishnu, sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands, was attacked near Basra, Iraq, in which one Indian crew member unfortunately lost his life,” and added that “the remaining 15 Indian crew have since been evacuated to a safe place.”

Daijiworld

Other outlets likewise reported the death and evacuation, noting that the incident occurred amid broader regional hostilities.

Responsibility and method of attack are reported differently across sources: Iranian state media and Iranian outlets claimed an operation using underwater or sub-surface drones, while other reports describe an unmanned or “suicide” boat, and some outlets noted no immediate official confirmation from Iran.

Iranian state broadcaster IRIB was cited saying the operation “involved underwater drones that ‘blew up two oil tankers in the Persian Gulf’,” while several local reports said the Safesea Vishnu “was reportedly targeted by an Iranian unmanned or ‘suicide’ boat inside Iraqi territorial waters near the Khor Al Zubair Port.”

INDIA New England News

Some coverage emphasised Iran’s claim of an underwater drone strike, but National Herald noted “There was no immediate official confirmation from Iranian authorities regarding the alleged involvement.”

Reports say two tankers were struck and that one of those vessels was the Malta‑flagged Zefyros; the episode occurred while Safesea Vishnu was involved in a fuel cargo transfer at Iraq’s Umm Qasar anchorage, and authorities said the Zefyros crew were safe.

“Indian Sailor Killed In Iran Attack On US-Owned Oil Tanker NEW DELHI/BAGHDAD- An Indian crew member was killed after a US-owned crude oil tanker, ‘Safesea Vishnu’, came under attack by Iran near Basra in Iraq on March 11”

IndiaWest

Multiple outlets identified the second ship as the Maltese‑flagged Zefyros, while Benetech Shipping SA noted that “The incident occurred at Iraq’s Umm Qasar anchorage during a fuel cargo transfer with the Safesea Vishnu tanker late on Wednesday,”

and one report said “All 23 crew members of tanker Zefyros are safe and accounted for, authorities said.”

Indian officials and the embassy in Baghdad have been cited as coordinating rescue and assistance for crew, offering support to the evacuated sailors and expressing condolences for the deceased.

The embassy’s post on X said: “Embassy of India Baghdad is in regular contact with Iraqi authorities and rescued Indian sailors and is offering all possible assistance,”

International Business Times Singapore

and added condolences: “Embassy extends its deepest condolences to the family members of the deceased crew member.”

Other outlets repeated that the embassy was “in regular contact with Iraqi authorities and rescued Indian sailors and is offering all possible assistance.”

The attack was reported amid heightened regional tensions that sources link to the broader Iran–U.S.–Israel confrontation, and analysts and local reports warned of growing threats to commercial shipping and disruptions to Iraqi port operations.

“Indian sailor killed in Iran attack on US-owned tanker in Iraq, 15 rescued text_fieldsBaghdad: An Indian crew member was killed after a US-owned crude oil tanker, Safesea Vishnu, was attacked by Iran near Basra, Iraq, on Wednesday”

Madhyamam

One report described the strike as occurring “in the Persian Gulf” and said the incident “highlights rising threats to shipping amid Iran-U.S.-Israel conflict,”

Madhyamam

while another noted that “Earlier, Iran warned it would ‘set fire’ to ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.”

The Times of India added that “oil terminals at Iraqi ports on Thursday suspended operations,” reflecting immediate commercial impact.