At least one crew member has been killed after two foreign oil tankers carrying Iraqi fuel were hit by explosive-laden Iranian boats, Iraqi port security officials have told Reuters.
Iraq evacuated more than 20 crew members from the two vessels, which both caught fire in the attacks and are still ablaze, according to Farhan al-Fartousi, Iraq’s director general of the General Company for Ports.
After the attacks, oil ports have “completely stopped operations,” while commercial ports continue to operate, Reuters are reporting citing Iraqi officials.
Another container ship has been struck by a projectile off the UAE, the UK Maritime Trade Operations report.
The incident happened around 35 nautical mikes north of Jebel Ali, a large commercial port.
It caused a fire on board, but all crew are said to be safe.
The authorities are investigating and vessels are being advised to travel with caution.
The incident marks the sixth attack in two days on vessels operating in the Gulf.