In the early hours of Thursday, two oil tankers carrying Iraqi heating oil were attacked in the Persian Gulf, with preliminary reports linking the assault to Iran. Videos circulating online show burning tankers, and it is reported that Iranian boats filled with explosive materials executed the assault. The attack took place approximately 30 nautical miles from the Iraqi coast, significantly impacting Iraq's oil sector by forcing a complete shutdown of oil ports, although commercial ports continue to operate.

According to Iraqi state media, the attack has resulted in one crew member's death, and search and rescue operations are ongoing, with authorities having rescued 38 people from the scene. The Iraqi National Oil Company has confirmed that the targets of the attack were the tankers Zefyros and Safesea Vishnu, flagged in Malta and the Marshall Islands, respectively. Iraq's government characterized the incident as an act of diversion, highlighting the increasing tensions in the region and the broader geopolitical ramifications of such maritime assaults.

This incident comes on the heels of heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf, with the U.S. Navy reportedly sending a message to warn Iran following various confrontations at sea. The security of maritime routes has become a critical concern for global oil supply chains, and such attacks not only threaten the immediate safety of crews at sea but also have implications for international oil prices and diplomatic relations in the region, potentially escalating conflict between Iran and neighboring countries, including Iraq and the United States.