Second Oil Tanker Arrives in Iraq Amid Middle East Conflict and Strikes in Lebanon

Two oil tankers were attacked in Iraqi waters on March 12, 2026, prompting Iraq to suspend operations at its oil terminals amid escalating regional tensions.

The Marshall Islands-flagged Safesea Vishnu and the Malta-flagged Zefyros were struck by explosive-laden boats in Iraqi territorial waters, setting both vessels ablaze. According to Iraqi port officials cited by Reuters, the ships had loaded fuel cargoes in Iraq prior to the attack.

One crew member was killed in the attack, with the body recovered from the water by Iraqi rescue teams. An Indian national serving aboard the U.S.-owned Safesea Vishnu was confirmed dead by India’s embassy in Baghdad, which reported that the remaining 15 Indian crew members were evacuated to a safe location.

Iraq’s State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO) confirmed the incident and stated that oil terminal operations were halted following the strikes. Farhan al-Fartousi, director general of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, said a boat from the Iraqi Ports Company rescued 25 crew members from the two vessels, while fires continued to burn on both ships.

The attacks occurred amid a broader pattern of maritime violence in the Persian Gulf, including reports of a vessel struck by an unknown projectile north of Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates and a Thai-flagged bulk carrier hit while attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz. The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations reported these additional incidents on the same day.

Regional tensions have intensified, with officials pointing to retaliatory actions from Iran as a contributing factor to the escalation. Iraqi officials noted that the latest developments suggest a prolonged conflict, increasing risks to global energy supply chains.