Footage and reports show that an Iranian explosive-laden small boat, described as a suicide boat, struck the US-owned oil tanker Safesea Vishnu near the Iraqi port of Khor Al Zubair in the northern Persian Gulf on Wednesday night.
The Safesea Vishnu is Marshall Islands-flagged and owned by a US company. During the attack, one Indian national on board was reportedly killed, while the other 27 crew members were rescued and taken to Basra for medical attention and evaluation.
The incident took place inside Iraqi territorial waters and has raised concerns about the safety of commercial shipping in the region amid heightened tensions involving Iran, the United States, and allied forces. Sources close to the tanker company described their devastation at losing a crew member and urged the Indian government to formally condemn the attack and take urgent steps to protect seafarers.
Iraqi port officials reported that the attack may have involved multiple explosive boats and also struck another oil tanker, causing fires and damage near Basra. The incident comes amid a broader escalation of maritime threats in the Gulf, highlighting serious concerns over the security of vital shipping routes.
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