Five ships attacked in Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz

Iranian boats laden with explosives appeared to have attacked two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters, setting them on fire and killing one crew member on Thursday, after shells hit three ships in the Persian Gulf, port, maritime security and risk assessment firms said, Reuters reported.

The latest attacks mark an escalation in the conflict between Iran and US and Israeli forces, with the number of ships hit in the region since the beginning of the fighting reaching at least 16.

Shipping in the Persian Gulf and through the narrow Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world's oil is transported, is almost has been halted since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, sending global oil prices soaring to levels not seen since 2022.

The ships that were attacked late at night by armed boats in the Persian Gulf near Iraq were the "Safety Vishnu", flying the flag of the Marshall Islands, and the "Zephyros", which were loaded with fuel in Iraq, two Iraqi port officials said.

""We have recovered the body of a foreign crew member from the water," a port security official said, as Iraqi rescue teams continued to search for other missing sailors. It was not immediately clear which ship the man was associated with.

The U.S.-based merchant operator of the "Safety Vishnu" and the beneficial operator are "Safety Transport Group" and "Safety Group" respectively, according to Lloyd's List Intelligence.

A source at the Iraqi port authority said the "Zephyros" was flying the Maltese flag and provided Reuters with a list of the names of the crew.

"Zephyros Trading S.A. " is the registered owner of the tanker matching that name and description, according to Lloyd's List Intelligence. Lloyd's data shows that UK-based "Cygnus Tankers Limited" is the commercial operator, and the family group of companies "George & Vasibis Michael", a key player in Greek shipping, is the beneficial owner.

"Cygnus Tankers" did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards have warned that any ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz will be attacked. US President Donald Trump has threatened to step up US attacks on Iran if it continues to obstruct passage through the strait.

The dry cargo ship "Mayuri Nari" The Thai-flagged vessel was hit by "two projectiles of unknown origin" while passing through the strait earlier on Wednesday, causing a fire and damaging the engine room, the ship's Thai operator, the "Precious Spinning", said in a statement.

"Three crew members are unaccounted for and are believed to be trapped in the engine room," the company said.

"The company is working with the relevant authorities to rescue these three missing crew members," it said, adding that the remaining 20 crew members had been safely evacuated and were ashore in Oman.

Photos provided by the Thai navy showed smoke billowing from the rear of the vessel.

The Iranian Guards said in a statement carried by the agency The ship was reportedly "fired by Iranian fighter jets," suggesting the first direct involvement by the Guards, which have previously fired missiles or drones.

The U.S. Navy has rejected almost daily requests from the shipping industry to provide a military escort through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war with Iran, saying the risk of attack is too high for now, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The Japanese-flagged container ship WAN Majesty also suffered minor damage on Wednesday from a projectile of unknown origin 25 nautical miles (46 km) northwest of Ras al-Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, two maritime security companies said.

A third ship, the cargo ship Star Gwinnett, was also hit by a projectile with of unknown origin about 50 miles northwest of Dubai, maritime security companies said. The projectile damaged the hull of the Marshall Islands-flagged ship, marine risk management company "Vanguard" said, adding that the ship's crew was safe.