Multiple reports indicate that energy facilities in countries around the Persian Gulf were subjected to new attacks on Thursday. Authorities say two foreign fuel tankers in the Gulf were hit by explosions, with one person killed and 38 people rescued after an incident near the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr. Reuters and CNN reported that the Umm Qasr incident appeared to be caused by Iranian boats rigged with explosives. Ship tracking websites show the two tankers suspected of being attacked surrounded by rescue boats. Iraqi authorities added that oil ports have stopped operations following the attack.
Maritime authorities said three cargo vessels were hit by 'unknown projectiles' in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), an unidentified projectile struck a container ship 35 nautical miles off the coast of Jebel Al in the United Arab Emirates. The agency said all crew were reported safe and no environmental impact was reported from the container ship incident. The Royal Thai Navy said among the three cargo vessels hit was a Thai-flagged vessel, 11 nautical miles north of Oman, with a fire on board and 23 crew members rescued. A Japanese-flagged container ship was struck 25 nautical miles off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, sustaining minor damage. UKMTO reported a third cargo vessel was hit about 50 nautical miles north-west of Dubai.
This escalation occurs against a backdrop of heightened regional instability. Research from three sources notes that instability in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz has caused traffic to drop and global energy prices to soar. There have been 13 suspected Iranian attacks on vessels operating around the Gulf since the war began, according to research from three sources. Iran has been retaliating with missiles and drones targeting U.S. and allied positions across the region, including in Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, research from three sources indicates.
Oil prices are already coming back down.
In response to the crisis, the International Energy Agency (IEA) announced that 32 countries voted unanimously to release 400 million barrels of oil due to the 'unprecedented' situation. G7 leaders said in a statement on Wednesday that they were working to 'explore the possibility of escorting ships when the right security conditions are in place'. Research from three sources notes that US President Donald Trump has urged other nations to help secure the Strait of Hormuz after earlier vowing that the US Navy would 'very soon' begin escorting tankers through the conduit.
Analysis of specific attacks reveals strategic complexities, particularly regarding the Palau-flagged tanker Skylight. Windward AI noted the sanctioned Palau-flagged tanker Skylight was hit as the conflict across the Middle East entered its second day. Research from three sources indicates the tanker Skylight held Iranian nationals among the crew and had ties to the regime. While three other vessels were reported attacked since the hostilities escalated Feb. 28, Windward described Skylight as 'the highest-risk vessel in the group and the most anomalous target'. The UKMTO Operation Centre also later confirmed attacks on Skylight, MKD Vyom and Hercules Star, warning of significant military activity across the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the North Arabian Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.
According to reports, Skylight had been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control in December 2025, and was used to transport Iranian petroleum products. Windward noted that Skylight was operated by United Arab Emirates-based Red Sea Ship Management LLC, which has documented ties to front companies linked to Iran’s Ministry of Defense. Research from three sources states the vessel had been at anchor since Feb. 22 and carried 20 crew members — 15 Indians and five Iranians. Reuters also reported March 1 that the Palau-flagged tanker was hit off Oman’s Musandam Peninsula in the Gulf of Oman, injuring four. Windward alleges the Skylight anomaly is the single strongest piece of evidence against deliberate targeting by affiliation.
We are (also) aware of reports of a fire onboard the Adalynn following the collision.
The strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz is central to the conflict's economic impact. Research from three sources notes that maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most critical energy chokepoint. Two weeks into the Middle East war triggered by a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28, traffic through the vital waterway that normally carries one fifth of global oil supplies has come to a virtual halt, according to research from three sources. Research from three sources indicates Tehran threatened to strike oil tankers in the strait. Maritime data firm Lloyd's List Intelligence reported on March 13 that twenty oil tankers and cargo ships have been attacked since the war began, with only 77 vessels making it through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has claimed responsibility for some attacks while issuing broader threats. Iran has claimed responsibility for the Thai-flagged vessel attack, saying the ship's crew ignored warnings. Iran has said it would 'not allow even a single litre of oil' heading for the US, Israel and their partners to pass through the strait. According to a maritime intelligence firm, Iran is conducting 'indiscriminate' targeting of vessels across the Gulf of Oman and the wider Persian Gulf following the launch of U.S.-Israeli strikes under Operation Epic Fury. The firm said Monday that analysis points to a strategy of indiscriminate area denial aimed at demonstrating Iran's capability to disrupt the Strait and deter commercial shipping.
US and Israeli military actions have intensified in response. Israel states it has attacked several Iranian naval vessels in the Caspian Sea. The Israeli military said the attacks were carried out on Wednesday and targeted ships equipped with missile systems, service vessels, patrol boats, and a command center. US Central Command said civilians should stay away from Iranian ports along the Strait of Hormuz because Tehran was using sites to conduct military operations.
Amid the confusion, a viral video has been misattributed to current events. A reverse image search on Google led to an X post showing that a video of a tanker on fire circulated online but is unrelated to the Middle East war, showing the oil tanker Adalynn ablaze after colliding with another tanker in the Gulf of Oman on June 17, 2025. AFP reported on June 17, 2025 that 24 people were rescued by the United Arab Emirates coast guard after the oil tankers Adalynn and Front Eagle collided in the Gulf of Oman. According to British shipping company Frontline, 'We are (also) aware of reports of a fire onboard the Adalynn following the collision.' Research from three sources indicates the environmental organisation Greenpeace and the Ukrainian government website Warsanctions listed the Adalynn as part of a so-called 'shadow fleet' of tankers used to evade sanctions on Russian oil.