Mar 12, 2026, 2:14 p.mMar 12, 2026, 2:14 p.m
Two oil tankers were bombed in Iraqi waters on Thursday night (Swiss time). The Iraqi port authority is facing the explosion in the Strait of Hormuz “CNN” confirmed. 38 crew members were evacuated, one person was killed.
Video: Watson/Michael Shepherd
The two ships were loaded with oil and burst into flames as a result of the attack. Iran later claimed responsibility for the attack and confirmed that it had blown up two oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. Shortly before Iran’s statement, the British Maritime Authority reported that three ships had been attacked and hit near the Strait of Hormuz. Loud “BBC” Since the beginning of the war almost two weeks ago, 15 ships have been attacked in the Strait of Hormuz.
In response to the attack, operations at the oil terminal were suspended until further notice. Shortly before the attacks on the two Iraqi oil tankers, US President Donald Trump announced that he would release strategic oil reserves. This is to counteract the rise in oil prices worldwide.
On the same night, Iranian forces also attacked fuel tanks in Bahrain. Fuel tanks in the port of Salalah in Oman were also bombed, presumably by Iranian drones.
The strait around the Gulf states, the Strait of Hormuz, has been effectively closed since the beginning of the war. About a fifth of the oil that is transported to the rest of the world usually flows through these. (nib)