Maritime security and risk management agencies announced that four ships were hit by unidentified projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran apparently attacked two fuel tankers with explosive‑laden boats in Iraqi waters, resulting in fires and the death of a crew member on Wednesday.

The latest attacks on ships linked to the United States and Europe mark an escalation in the conflict between Iran and U.S. and Israeli forces, raising the number of vessels targeted in the region since the fighting began to at least 16.

Thai cargo ship 'Mayuree Naree' near the Strait of Hormuz. (AFP)

Navigation through the strait, through which about one‑fifth of the world’s oil passes, has almost come to a standstill since the U.S. and Israel began bombing Iran on February 28, driving global oil prices to levels not seen since 2022.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard vowed that it would not allow a “single liter of oil” to be shipped from the Middle East to the United States, Israel, or their partners if attacks on Iran continued.

Trump threatened to intensify bombings on Iran if oil exports were blocked, saying energy companies should use the Strait of Hormuz because “almost all of the Iranian fleet has disappeared.”

Two Iraqi port officials stated that the vessels targeted overnight by armed boats in the Gulf near Iraq were the SAFESEA VISHNU, flying the Marshall Islands flag, and the ZEFYROS, flying the Maltese flag, both carrying fuel shipments from Iraq.

The Iraqi Oil Marketing Company (SOMO) stated that the tanker SAFESEA VISHNU is chartered by an Iraqi company under contract with it, while the tanker ZEFYROS is loaded with condensates from Basrah Gas Company. SOMO added that the tankers were attacked in the side-loading area within Iraqi territorial waters.

Closure of Iraqi oil ports

The official Iraqi News Agency reported, citing Farhan Al-Fartousi, Director General of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, that the country’s oil ports had completely halted operations after the attacks, while commercial ports continued their activities.

The British Marine Trade Operations stated that the crew of one of the vessels had been evacuated and was reported to be safe.

Al-Fartousi told Reuters that a ship belonging to the Iraq Ports Company rescued 25 crew members from the two vessels, with fires still burning aboard. Iraqi rescue teams continue searching for other sailors. A port security official added, “We retrieved the body of one of the foreign crew members from the water.”

An Iraqi security source at the port stated that the ship ZEFYROS flies the Maltese flag and provided Reuters with a list of its crew members.

Lloyd’s List Intelligence data showed that the Britain-based Cygnet Tankers is the commercial operator of the vessel, while a prominent Greek shipping group is its beneficial owner.

The company is working with authorities to rescue the three missing crew members, noting that the remaining 20 crew members were safely evacuated to Oman.

Photos released by the Thai Navy showed smoke rising from the rear of the ship.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said in a statement carried by the Tasnim News Agency that the ship “came under fire from Iranian fighters,” marking what the Guards described as their first direct engagement after previously relying on missiles or drones.

Informed sources told Reuters that the U.S. Navy has declined nearly daily requests from the shipping industry for military escorts through the Strait of Hormuz since the war on Iran began, saying the risk of attacks is too high.