Oil tankers attack off Iraq coast using explosive boats near export terminals

Two oil tankers operating within Iraq’s energy export system were targeted in a maritime attack off the Iraqi coast in the Gulf, in an incident that Iraq’s state oil marketing company said took place inside Iraqi territorial waters and was carried out using two explosive boats.

The State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO) confirmed in an official statement that the vessels targeted were the tanker SAFESEA VISHNU, flying the flag of the Marshall Islands, and the tanker ZEFYROS, flying the Maltese flag. The company said one of the tankers had been chartered by SOMO, while the other was transporting cargo linked to the operations of Basra Gas Company.

According to the statement, the attack was carried out using two explosive boats that targeted the vessels while they were operating in Iraq’s southern oil export zone — the area that hosts the country’s main terminals for shipping crude oil to global markets.

Oil tankers attack off Iraq coast using explosive boats

SOMO said the tanker SAFESEA VISHNU, flying the Marshall Islands flag, had been chartered by the company to transport Iraqi crude shipments as part of the country’s regular export operations.

The tanker ZEFYROS, flying the Maltese flag, was carrying cargo linked to Basra Gas Company, a joint venture involved in developing and investing in associated gas resources in southern Iraq.

The company stated that the attack occurred within Iraqi territorial waters, raising concerns over maritime navigation safety in the region, particularly as shipping routes near Basra represent one of the main corridors for Iraqi oil exports.

In its statement, SOMO warned that the attacks “will negatively affect the country’s security and economy and represent a threat to maritime navigation safety,” highlighting growing concerns about the security of Iraq’s energy infrastructure.

The statement did not provide further details regarding the extent of damage sustained by the vessels or the condition of the crew members on board.

It also did not address reports circulated by Iraqi media suggesting that a third tanker may have suffered damage after colliding with an explosive boat — information that Iraqi authorities have not confirmed so far.

The Basra region in southern Iraq represents the country’s primary oil export hub, with most crude shipments heading to international markets departing from terminals in the northern Gulf.

This makes any security threat in the area particularly significant for global energy supply chains.

Security reports indicate that attacks involving explosive boats have become an increasingly used tactic in maritime conflicts in recent years, particularly in regions experiencing geopolitical tension near vital oil shipping routes.

According to an analysis published by Reuters on maritime attacks in the Middle East, escalating military tensions in the region have increased the risks of targeting commercial vessels and oil tankers in the Gulf.

The incident comes as the region has witnessed a noticeable military escalation since late February, with expanding regional tensions that have included missile and drone attacks across several parts of the Middle East.

Energy security experts warn that targeting oil shipping vessels in the Gulf could increase risks for maritime shipping companies and insurance providers, while also potentially affecting the stability of global oil supplies if such incidents continue.

Iraq is one of the largest oil producers within OPEC, and its national budget relies heavily on crude exports, most of which are shipped from southern ports near Basra.

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, while official statements indicate that investigations remain ongoing to determine the circumstances of the incident and identify those potentially responsible.

The incident is expected to push Iraqi authorities to strengthen maritime security measures around oil export terminals and shipping lanes near southern energy facilities.

It may also prompt international shipping companies to reassess risk levels in the region, particularly if similar attacks occur in critical maritime routes used for global energy transport.

Observers note that maritime security in the Gulf has become a key factor in maintaining stability in global energy markets, given the large volumes of oil that pass through these shipping corridors every day.

As regional tensions persist, protecting oil export routes remains one of the central challenges facing countries across the region.

Until the official investigation concludes, the oil tankers attack off Iraq coast remains a new indicator of the fragile maritime security environment in one of the world’s most critical energy transport zones.

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