Two foreign tankers attacked in Iraqi waters

On March 12, 2026, two foreign tankers carrying Iraqi fuel oil were attacked while located near the Basra port in the Persian Gulf. The incident, which occurred approximately 30 nautical miles off the coast, resulted in massive fires on both vessels. According to Farhan al-Fartousi, director of the Iraqi Ports Authority, one crew member was killed, and 38 others were successfully rescued, with search and rescue operations for missing persons ongoing. While Iraqi security officials officially labeled the incident as an act of sabotage, some media reports attribute the attack to Iranian assets, citing the broader context of regional conflicts involving Iran, the US, and Israel. The incident has led to the suspension of operations at certain Iraqi oil terminals, although commercial ports reportedly continue to function. The event took place during the 13th day of ongoing regional hostilities, which escalated after US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Details regarding the exact identity of the ships remain limited, though at least one vessel is known to be sailing under the Maltese flag.