Tanker Burns in Arabian Gulf After Suspected Drone Boat Strike, One Dead

[Breaking] Two tankers have reportedly been hit by unknown projectiles in the Arabian Gulf, according to UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

Two ships were reportedly struck at a position just south of Basrah, within Iraqi waters. Bystander video from a nearby vessel suggests that they were adjacent to each other and potentially engaged in an STS transfer at the time of impact. The video shows a spreading pool of burning oil surrounding the vessels.

Open-source analysts have tentatively identified the vessels as the Zefyros and the Safesea Vishnu.

JUST IN - American owned oil tanker struck by explosive drone boats near Iraqi waters, preliminary reports indicate — TankerTrackers pic.twitter.com/Tpu1tXje6u
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) March 11, 2026

Iraqi channels are now reporting that “multiple tankers” are burning in the Persian Gulf off the coast of Basra, following a coordinated attack by Iran. pic.twitter.com/do46R7soz8
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 11, 2026

Iraqi Lt. General Saad Maan told Al-Iraqiya News that the attack was an act of sabotage and a violation of Iraqi sovereignty. Six response vessels were dispatched to rescue the two tankers' crews, he said. He confirmed that one seafarer had been killed.

The fire has since been extinguished by Iraqi first responders.

Iraqi firefighters and port authorities have managed to control and extinguish the fire onboard two oil tankers targeted earlier tonight off the coast of Basra, identified as the Marshall Islands-flagged M/T SAFESEA VISHNU and Malta-flagged M/T ZEFYROS, who were struck by a… pic.twitter.com/BUbqdobEeI
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 12, 2026

Iraqi authorities say that early signs point to a drone-boat attack. The strike would align with a pattern of Iranian attacks on merchant shipping in the Arabian Gulf; more than a dozen vessels have been hit so far, resulting in multiple fatalities.

This story will be updated as more information comes in.