Attack on Two Tankers Poses Threat to Iraq’s Economy and Maritime Security, SOMO Says

Peregraf - The State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO) announced on Wednesday that two oil tankers operating in Iraqi territorial waters were targeted in an attack, raising concerns over maritime security and the safety of energy infrastructure in the country.

In an official statement, SOMO said the vessels Safesea Vishnu and Zefyros were attacked while operating in a designated ship-to-ship loading area off Iraq's southern coast.

According to the statement, the tanker *Safesea Vishnu*, flying the flag of the Marshall Islands and leased to an Iraqi contracting company, was among the vessels targeted during the incident. The second tanker, Zefyros, flying the flag of Malta, was carrying condensate supplied by the Basrah Gas Company.

SOMO said the vessels were located in a ship-to-ship transfer area within Iraqi territorial waters when the attack occurred. Ship-to-ship transfers are commonly used in oil logistics to move petroleum products between vessels before they are transported to ports or exported.

The tanker Zefyros had been preparing to enter Khor al-Zubair Port on the morning of March 12, 2026, to load an additional cargo of 30,000 metric tons of naphtha, SOMO said. The planned loading was scheduled after the vessel completed the ship-to-ship transfer process and discharged its previous shipment to the other tanker.

Authorities did not immediately provide details on the nature of the attack or the extent of damage to the vessels. SOMO also did not confirm whether there were any casualties among the crews.

The organization expressed "deep regret" over the incident, warning that such attacks pose a serious threat to Iraq's economic interests and maritime safety.

"This incident negatively impacts Iraq's security and economy and represents a threat to the safety of maritime navigation and oil activities within Iraqi territorial waters," SOMO said in its statement.

Iraq is one of the world's largest oil exporters, and the majority of its crude shipments pass through southern ports near Basra. Facilities in the region, including Khor al-Zubair Port and offshore loading terminals, are critical to the country's energy exports and government revenue.

The incident comes amid broader regional tensions and growing concerns about the safety of energy supply routes in the Gulf and Iraqi waters, as the U.S.–Israel war on Iran enters its 13th day.

SOMO did not identify the party responsible for the attack but emphasized the importance of protecting maritime operations and oil activities within Iraq's territorial waters.