Iraq tanker struck by drone in territorial waters

Key facts

• A fuel oil tanker, New Andros, was struck by a drone in Iraqi territorial waters.
• The vessel was carrying approximately 2 million barrels of Iraqi fuel oil.
• The strike occurred around 6 a.m. local time on Wednesday.
• The tanker sustained hull damage but no casualties or oil leaks were reported.
• Iraqi authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

A fuel oil tanker operating in Iraqi territorial waters was struck by a drone on Wednesday, according to Iraq's Oil Ministry. The Panama-flagged vessel, New Andros, was carrying approximately 2 million barrels of fuel oil when it was hit around 6 a.m. local time.

While the impact caused hull damage, port officials confirmed there were no casualties among the 22 crew members and no cargo leaked into the sea. Iraqi rescue boats extinguished a fire that broke out aboard the tanker following the strike. The Ministry of Transport stated that security and maritime authorities immediately secured the vessel and are investigating the source of the attack.

Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that several merchant vessels in the Gulf and Gulf of Oman were hit by disabling fire overnight due to military activity in the region. The UKMTO could not confirm any casualties or environmental impact from these incidents. Iran claimed responsibility for attacking 10 ships near the Strait of Hormuz, stating it was in retaliation for the U.S. sinking five Iranian oil tankers.