An Indian national died after Iran attacked an oil tanker near the Iraqi coast. The incident shows the rising danger for ships operating in the region during the ongoing West Asia conflict.

According to Press Trust of India, the oil tanker Safesea Vishnu came under attack on Wednesday. The vessel was sailing near Khor Al Zubair Port inside Iraq’s territorial waters.

Reports say an Iranian “suicide” boat struck the tanker. Rescue teams saved the remaining 27 crew members. However, one Indian sailor died in the attack. Authorities have not yet revealed his name.

Ship Operator Seeks India’s Response

The company operating Safesea Vishnu urged the Indian government to condemn the attack. It also asked India to take urgent steps to protect sailors working on ships in the Gulf region as tensions continue to rise.

Data from VesselFinder shows that the tanker is 228.6 metres long and 32.57 metres wide. It was built in 2007. The ship currently sails under the flag of the Marshall Islands.

Another Oil Tanker Also Targeted

Officials reported a second attack near Iraqi waters. The State Organization for Marketing of Oil confirmed that two oil tankers faced attacks but did not provide details.

One of the vessels was the ZEFYROS, which sails under the Malta flag. The tanker was preparing to enter Khor Al Zubair Port. It planned to load about 30,000 tonnes of liquid naphtha, a key material used in petrochemical production.

Iraq Expresses Concern

The Ministry of Oil said it is deeply concerned about the attacks on tankers in the Gulf. In a statement on Thursday, the ministry warned that violence could threaten global energy supply routes.

“The safety of navigation in international maritime corridors and energy supply routes must remain free from regional conflicts,” the ministry added.

US Targets Iranian Mine-Laying Boats

The United States military said it destroyed 16 Iranian vessels near the Strait of Hormuz. Officials said the boats were laying naval mines in the waterway.

The action followed a warning from US President Donald Trump. Trump wrote on Truth Social: “If Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait, and we have no reports ⁠of them doing so, we want them removed, IMMEDIATELY!”

Reports Say Iran Has Begun Mining the Strait

A report by CNN said Iran has started placing mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Sources told the network that the operation remains limited. Iran has reportedly deployed only a few dozen mines so far.

However, Iran can escalate the operation quickly. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps controls the strait along with Iran’s navy. It can deploy mine-laying vessels, explosive boats, and coastal missile systems.

Such moves could disrupt global oil shipments through one of the world’s most important energy routes.