Allied Forces Respond as Multiple Merchant Ships Are Hit in Gulf Waters
Multiple commercial vessels have come under attack in the northern Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, prompting an urgent maritime security response as the conflict between Iran and the United States intensifies.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that several merchant vessels were struck by disabling fire during military activity in the region, with some ships suffering significant damage.
A separate tanker carrying around 2 million barrels of Iraqi fuel oil was also struck by a drone in Iraqi territorial waters, causing a fire and damage to the vessel. All 22 crew members were reported safe, with no oil leakage confirmed.
Another vessel near Port Rashid in the United Arab Emirates was reported listing while at anchor, possibly after being struck by an unidentified projectile.
The attacks come after Iran claimed to have targeted 10 vessels near the Strait of Hormuz in response to U.S. strikes that destroyed five Iranian oil tankers. The United States has denied that its warships were hit.
The latest incidents represent one of the largest waves of attacks on commercial shipping since the conflict began, raising concerns over the safety of crews and the continued movement of global energy supplies through the Gulf.
The situation remains highly fluid. UKMTO said it could not immediately confirm casualties or environmental damage from several of the reported incidents, while the identities of the attackers in some cases remain unclear.