Irritated Waters: Boats, Mines and a Burning Question

The Gulf of Oman saw a night of chaos when small boats, said to be from Iran and packed with explosives, struck two fuel tankers near Iraq. The attacks set the ships ablaze and killed a crew member, while four other vessels were hit by projectiles in nearby waters. The tankers carried fuel from Iraq and sailed under flags of the Marshall Islands and Malta. Iraq’s port officials say that rescue crews pulled 25 sailors from the burning tankers, but flames still lick their decks. One officer recovered a foreign crew member’s body from the sea, though it is unclear which ship he was on. The General Company for Ports of Iraq reported that oil ports have shut down, yet commercial shipping continues. Security experts point to a new weapon: unmanned surface vessels that carry bombs. Ukraine has used similar craft against Russia, and now Iran may be deploying them in its own waters. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned that any ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz could be targeted. This strait is vital because about a fifth of global oil passes through it, and Iran has already blocked some shipments.In the same week, a container ship north of Dubai was hit by an unknown projectile that caused a small fire. A Thai bulk carrier also suffered engine damage after two projectiles struck it in the strait, leaving three crew members missing. The ship’s operator said authorities were working to rescue them. A Japanese container ship was lightly damaged by a projectile while at anchor, and its crew were unharmed. The U. S. Navy has declined to escort commercial vessels through the strait, citing high risk of attacks. Meanwhile, reports say Iran has placed around a dozen mines in the strait, prompting warnings from U. S. leaders about severe consequences. The incidents raise questions about maritime safety and the growing use of unmanned weapons. They also highlight how regional tensions can spill over into vital shipping lanes, endangering crews and global trade.