Key facts
- US Coast Guard and FBI agents boarded two tankers in August to investigate suspected cyberattacks.
- The incidents occurred while the vessels were transiting the Strait of Gibraltar.
- The cyber action teams examined the vessels' operational and IT systems.
- No operational disruptions, crew danger, or environmental impacts have been reported.
- Authorities have not named the suspected perpetrators.
- Concerns exist that malicious actors may seek to expand the Middle East conflict.
U.S. Coast Guard and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents boarded two tankers in August to investigate suspected cyberattacks that allegedly occurred while the vessels were transiting the Strait of Gibraltar between Morocco and Spain. The Coast Guard stated that the cyber action teams examined the foreign-flagged vessels' systems to ensure the integrity of their operational and information technology networks.
According to U.S. officials, the incidents occurred on August 21 and 24. One of the vessels was carrying oil, and the other was shipping LNG. The Coast Guard confirmed that there are currently no reports of operational disruptions, vessel instability, physical danger to crews, or environmental impacts. Neither the tanker nor the suspected perpetrators of the cyberattacks have been named by the authorities.
These incidents are raising concerns that Iran or other U.S. adversaries may be attempting to disrupt operations at a key chokepoint or a U.S. port, potentially widening the Middle Eastern conflict.