Merchant Ships Come Under Fire in Gulf as War Escalates Around Strait of Hormuz

A string of attacks on commercial ships in the Gulf and near the Strait of Hormuz has ramped up fears for global shipping, as the ongoing conflict in the region increasingly spills over into one of the world’s key maritime arteries.

Explosive-laden boats, believed to be linked to Iran, struck two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters late Wednesday, setting both vessels ablaze and killing one crew member, according to port officials and maritime security sources.

The vessels targeted were the Marshall Islands–flagged Safesea Vishnu and the Malta-flagged Zefyros, both carrying fuel cargo loaded in Iraq. Iraqi port authorities said the strikes happened in the ship-to-ship transfer zone within Iraqi territorial waters.

Iraq’s State Organization for Marketing of Oil confirmed the Safesea Vishnu had been chartered by an Iraqi company contracted with the agency, while the Zefyros was transporting condensate products from Basra Gas Company.

In the aftermath, Iraq suspended operations at its oil ports, though other commercial ports remained open, according to the state-run General Company for Ports of Iraq.

Rescue efforts sprang into action immediately after the attack. Farhan al-Fartousi, director general of the Iraqi ports authority, said a rescue boat saved 25 crew members from the burning ships. Fires continued to rage onboard while search parties scoured for more survivors.

A port security official confirmed recovering the body of a foreign crew member from the water.

Shipping data shows the Safesea Vishnu is commercially operated by Safesea Transport Group and Safesea Group. The Zefyros is believed to be managed by UK-based Cygnus Tankers and owned by a shipping group linked to Greek owners George and Vassilis Michael.

Neither company has responded to requests for comment.

These attacks are part of a wider escalation targeting vessels tied to the U.S. and Europe. Since the Iran and U.S.-Israeli conflict flared up on February 28, at least 16 ships have reportedly been hit in the region.

Maritime traffic through the Gulf and the narrow Strait of Hormuz—a passage accounting for about a fifth of global oil shipments—has slowed dramatically amid the violence. This disruption has fueled a spike in oil prices to levels not seen since 2022.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have repeatedly warned that continued attacks on Iran could prompt them to block oil shipments through the region, curbing energy exports to the United States, Israel, and their allies.

U.S. President Donald Trump responded with warnings that Washington would escalate military actions should Iran attempt to choke off oil flows. He also urged shipping companies to keep using the strait, asserting that much of Iran’s navy had already been neutralized.

Other vessels were hit in separate incidents on Wednesday as well.

The Thai-flagged dry bulk ship Mayuree Naree was struck by two projectiles while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The attack ignited a fire and damaged the engine room, according to operator Precious Shipping.

Three crew members were reported missing, believed trapped in the engine room. The other 20 crew members were safely evacuated ashore to Oman.

Photos released by the Thai navy showed smoke billowing from the rear of the ship. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards later claimed the vessel had been targeted by Iranian fighters, implying a direct confrontation unlike the missile or drone strikes reported earlier in the region.

Elsewhere in Gulf waters, several other ships also sustained damage.

The Japan-flagged container vessel ONE Majesty was hit by an unidentified projectile roughly 25 nautical miles northwest of Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE. Owners Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and charterer Ocean Network Express said the damage was minor and above the waterline. The ship remains operational and the entire crew is safe.

Another vessel, the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Star Gwyneth, was struck by a projectile about 50 nautical miles northwest of Dubai. The strike damaged the hull while the ship was anchored, but crew members were unharmed.

Shortly after, maritime authorities reported yet another projectile hitting a container ship some 35 nautical miles north of Jebel Ali in the UAE, sparking a small fire. The crew was reported safe.

Despite the mounting threats, the U.S. Navy has reportedly declined requests from the shipping industry for military escorts through the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict escalated, citing the high risk involved.

President Trump has said the U.S. stands ready to provide naval escorts if necessary.

As attacks against commercial shipping persist, the gulf conflict is drawing global maritime traffic increasingly into its crosshairs.