Indian national killed in overnight strikes by Iran targeting US-owned oil tanker near Iraq
The strikes mark the first instance of Iran directly targeting oil tankers after warning that “not a litre of oil” would be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route, during the ongoing conflict.
PTC News Desk: An Indian national was killed after Iran launched attacks on two oil tankers — including one owned by a US company — off the coast of Iraq overnight, further heightening tensions in the region amid the escalating US-Israel-Iran conflict that has been ongoing for nearly two weeks.
The strikes mark the first instance of Iran directly targeting oil tankers after warning that “not a litre of oil” would be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route, during the ongoing conflict.
According to sources, the US-owned and Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker Safesea Vishnu was hit by an Iranian “suicide” boat near the Khor Al Zubair port within Iraqi territorial waters. The identity of the Indian national killed in the attack has not yet been revealed.
Sources said the remaining 27 crew members and other personnel on board were rescued and taken to the southern Iraqi city of Basra.
Videos circulating on social media showed a powerful blast followed by a massive fire engulfing two tankers — the Maltese-flagged Zefyros and the Marshall Islands-flagged Safesea Vishnu, which is owned by a US firm. Flames appeared to spread across the water, indicating a possible oil spill. The vessels were believed to be carrying nearly 400,000 barrels of Iraqi crude oil.