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Late Wednesday, two oil tankers were reportedly targeted in an attack off the southern coast of Basra, located in the northern Persian Gulf. This incident ignited fires on both vessels, heightening fears regarding the safety of crucial oil shipping lanes. According to Iraqi officials, the tankers were hit by explosive-laden boats in waters adjacent to Basra, which is home to some of Iraq's key oil export terminals. This area is recognized as one of the busiest energy shipping routes globally.

The vessels involved were the Zefyros, registered under the Maltese flag, and the Safesea Vishnu, flying the flag of the Marshall Islands. Vessel-tracking information indicated that both tankers were anchored side by side when the fire erupted. Online images and videos depicted a significant blaze at sea, with flames engulfing the ships and thick black smoke billowing into the sky. Iraqi authorities reported that at least one individual lost their life in the attack, while rescue teams managed to save 38 crew members from the burning ships.

Farhan al-Fartousi, the director general of the Iraqi Ports Company, confirmed to a news outlet that all rescued crew members were foreign nationals, although he did not provide immediate details regarding injuries or the damage sustained by the vessels. Initial investigations by Iraqi security forces indicated that the tankers were struck by Iranian boats loaded with explosives. However, a definitive conclusion regarding the perpetrators of the attack has yet to be released.

The Safesea Vishnu is a crude oil tanker built in 2007, measuring approximately 228.6 meters in length and 32.57 meters in width, with a deadweight capacity of around 73,970 metric tons. It is owned by Safesea Transport Inc., a company based in Piscataway, New Jersey. Recent vessel tracking data revealed that the Safesea Vishnu had been operating in the Persian Gulf and was en route to Khor Al Zubair Port in Iraq, with its last recorded route being KAZ OPL, an offshore loading point near the Iraqi coast. The Zefyros tanker is owned by a Greek company. Initial reports from Iraqi media suggested that the fire occurred near the Port of Umm Qasr in southern Iraq. This incident occurs amid escalating tensions in the region and increasing disruptions to global oil shipping routes, with recent security threats already impacting tanker traffic through the nearby Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global energy supplies.