Iran Attacks US-Owned Oil Tanker Safesea Vishnu
Analysis based on 15 articles · First reported Mar 12, 2026 · Last updated Mar 12, 2026
The attack on oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, particularly the US-owned Safesea Vishnu, has significantly disrupted maritime trade and triggered sharp increases in global oil prices. Fears of supply disruptions from the critical Strait of Hormuz are driving market volatility and increasing insurance costs for shipping.
On March 11, 2026, an Indian crew member was killed after the US-owned crude oil tanker Safesea Vishnu, sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, was attacked by Iran near Basra, Iraq. The remaining 15 Indian crew members were safely evacuated by the Indian Embassy in Baghdad. Iran claimed responsibility for the assault, stating that underwater drones targeted the Safesea Vishnu and the Maltese-flagged tanker Zefyros, owned by a Greek shipping firm. One of the tankers reportedly caught fire in Iraqi territorial waters. This incident occurred amid escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf and the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against Iran. Iran had previously warned against ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor for global oil supply. The conflict has severely disrupted maritime trade and led to sharp increases in global oil prices due to fears of supply disruptions.
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