The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has coincided with a spate of attacks on commercial shipping in the Gulf and the narrow Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for energy and goods. Iran's Revolutionary Guards have stated that any vessel transiting the Strait could be targeted. Below is a date-by-date account of reported strikes and incidents that have been disclosed since the conflict began on February 28.
Reported incidents
- March 1 - The Marshall Islands-flagged crude tanker MKD VYOM was struck by a projectile while sailing off Oman's coast, about 50 nautical miles north of Muscat. Manager V.Ships reported that one crew member was killed in the attack.
- March 1 - The Gibraltar-flagged oil bunkering tanker Hercules Star, which supplies fuel to ships, was hit by a projectile 17 nautical miles northwest of Mina Saqr in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. UKMTO said a fire resulted from the strike but was extinguished.
- March 1 - A Palau-flagged tanker was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, two nautical miles north of Oman’s Kumzar. Oman’s maritime security centre reported the crew of the U.S.-sanctioned vessel Skylight was evacuated.
- March 2 - The U.S.-flagged products tanker Stena Imperative was struck by two projectiles while in the port of Bahrain. UKMTO reported that the incident led to a fire and that the vessel's crew evacuated.
- March 3 - The Marshall Islands crude oil tanker Libra Trader and the Panama-flagged bulker Gold Oak both suffered minor damage roughly 7-10 nautical miles off the UAE port of Fujairah, UKMTO said.
- March 4 - The Maltese-flagged container ship Safeen Prestige was damaged by a projectile as it sailed toward the top of the Strait, two nautical miles north of Oman. Shipping sources indicated the strike caused a fire in the engine room that forced the crew to abandon ship.
- March 5 - The crude oil tanker Sonangol Namibe was struck by a blast while at anchor near Iraq's Khor al Zubair port, according to Sonangol Marine Services, the company's U.S. representative. Initial assessments cited by two Iraqi port security sources said an Iranian remote-controlled boat loaded with explosives was used to target and damage the Bahamas-flagged vessel.
- March 6 - UKMTO reported that a tugboat conducting operations with the Safeen Prestige in the Strait of Hormuz, six nautical miles north of Oman, was hit by projectiles.
- March 7 - Citing an unnamed third party, UKMTO reported a possible drone attack 10 nautical miles north of Saudi Arabia's Jubail; it said most of the crew aboard the affected vessel were evacuated.
- March 11 - A Thailand-flagged bulk carrier, the Mayuree Naree, was struck by a projectile in the Strait, 11 nautical miles north of Oman. Owner Precious Shipping, based in Bangkok, said a fire broke out and the crew evacuated.
- March 11 - The Japan-flagged container ship One Majesty sustained minor damage after being hit by a projectile 25 nautical miles northwest of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.
- March 11 - Vanguard, a maritime risk management company, reported the hull of the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Star Gwyneth was damaged after being struck by a projectile 50 nautical miles northwest of Dubai. UKMTO stated there was no environmental impact reported and that the crew were reported safe.
These reported events involve a range of vessel types - crude and products tankers, a bunkering tanker, bulk carriers, a container ship, a bulker and a tug - flagged to multiple jurisdictions including the Marshall Islands, Gibraltar, Palau, the United States, Panama, Malta, the Bahamas, Thailand and Japan. Multiple incidents triggered crew evacuations, fires aboard affected vessels or damage assessments by maritime authorities and risk monitors.
Authorities and shipping managers cited in the reports include V.Ships, UKMTO, Oman’s maritime security centre, Sonangol Marine Services, Precious Shipping and Vanguard. Where specified, accounts note the distances from coastal reference points in Oman, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Iraq in nautical miles, and detail the type of strike or weaponry reported, including projectiles, an alleged remote-controlled explosive boat and a possible drone attack.
UKMTO statements relating to several incidents also indicated where fires were extinguished and where no environmental impact was reported. Several of the attacks prompted immediate crew evacuations from the vessels involved.