Gulf Shipping Under Siege: Complete Timeline of Attacks Since US-Israeli War Began
Complete Timeline of Gulf Ship Attacks Since US-Israeli War

Gulf Shipping Under Siege: Complete Timeline of Attacks Since US-Israeli War Began

Crew members have been killed and global shipping severely disrupted in a series of escalating maritime attacks across the Gulf region since the US-Israeli war with Iran commenced. The conflict has directly threatened vital Gulf ports and critically disrupted international trade flowing through the strategically essential Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait, which serves as the crucial conduit connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, is responsible for transporting approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. In the wake of these sustained assaults, global oil prices have soared dramatically, highlighting the severe economic repercussions.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards have issued stark warnings, declaring that any vessel attempting to navigate the narrow channel will be considered a target. Concurrently, the United States has taken aggressive countermeasures, sinking sixteen mine-laying ships in proximity to the Strait. President Donald Trump has explicitly stated that there will be "more to follow", signalling a potential intensification of naval operations.

Chronological Log of Reported Maritime Assaults

Since the war began on 28 February 2026, a disturbing pattern of attacks has unfolded. The following is an expanded and detailed list of reported incidents targeting commercial and fuel vessels in the area.

1 March

  • An Iranian explosive-laden boat attack targeted two fuel tankers within Iraqi waters, setting both vessels ablaze, according to Iraqi Ports Authority reports.
  • The Marshall Islands–flagged crude oil tanker MKD VYOM was struck by a projectile approximately 50 nautical miles north of Muscat, Oman. Manager V.Ships confirmed one crew member was killed in this assault.
  • The Gibraltar-flagged oil bunkering tanker Hercules Star, which supplies fuel to other ships, was hit by a projectile 17 nautical miles northwest of the UAE's Mina Saqr port in Ras Al Khaimah. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a resulting fire was successfully extinguished.
  • A Palau-flagged tanker was attacked within the Strait of Hormuz, just two nautical miles north of Oman's Kumzar. Oman's maritime security centre stated the crew of the US-sanctioned vessel Skylight was safely evacuated.

2 March

  • The US-flagged products tanker Stena Imperative was struck by two projectiles while in the port of Bahrain. This attack caused a significant fire and necessitated the full evacuation of the crew, as confirmed by UKMTO.

3 March

  • The Marshall Islands-flagged crude oil tanker Libra Trader and the Panama-flagged bulk carrier Gold Oak both sustained minor damage from an attack occurring 7-10 nautical miles off the coast of the UAE's port of Fujairah, UKMTO stated.

4 March

  • The Maltese-flagged container ship Safeen Prestige was damaged by a projectile as it sailed towards the northern section of the strait, two nautical miles north of Oman. Shipping sources indicated the attack ignited a fire in the engine room, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel.

5 March

  • The crude oil tanker Sonangol Namibe was hit by a blast while anchored near Iraq's Khor al Zubair port, according to its representative company, Sonangol Marine Services. Initial assessments from two Iraqi port security sources suggested an Iranian remote-controlled boat laden with explosives was used to target and damage the Bahamas-flagged ship.

6 March

  • A tugboat operating in conjunction with the previously attacked Safeen Prestige was hit by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, six nautical miles north of Oman, UKMTO reported.

7 March

  • UKMTO relayed a report of a possible drone attack approximately 10 nautical miles north of Saudi Arabia's Jubail, citing an unnamed third party. The report noted that the majority of the affected vessel's crew was evacuated.

11 March

  • The Thailand-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree was attacked by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, 11 nautical miles north of Oman. The vessel's owner, Bangkok-headquartered Precious Shipping, confirmed a fire broke out on board, prompting the crew to evacuate.
  • The Japan-flagged container ship One Majesty sustained minor damage after being struck by a projectile 25 nautical miles northwest of the UAE's Ras Al Khaimah.
  • The hull of the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Star Gwyneth was damaged after a projectile hit the vessel 50 nautical miles northwest of Dubai, according to maritime risk management company Vanguard. UKMTO confirmed no environmental impact was reported and the crew was safe.
  • Fuel tankers, the Marshall Islands-flagged Safesea Vishnu and the Maltese-flagged Zefyros, were attacked in the Gulf near Iraq. This incident prompted Iraq's oil ports to completely halt all operations, as stated by port officials and the state news agency. Tragically, one port security official reported that the body of a foreign crew member was recovered from the water following these attacks.

The cumulative impact of these relentless assaults has created a maritime crisis of global significance, paralysing a key artery of world trade and placing seafarers in unprecedented danger.