The Iranian military claimed on Thursday to have struck a vessel owned by a U.S. company off the Iraqi coast in the Persian Gulf, saying it targeted the “Safesea Vishnu” after the vessel “disobeyed and ignored the warnings” of the Iranian navy.
That oil tanker, which was sailing under a Marshall Islands flag, was identified by Iraq’s state oil company as one of two hit with projectiles in the country’s territorial waters early on Thursday.
A screenshot from video circulating online shows the lettering of “Safesea Vishnu” visible on the ship’s waterline as the vessel is doused with water on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
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The other ship struck nearby was the “Zefyros,” a Maltese-flagged oil and chemical tanker, Iraq said. Iran did not claim responsibility for that apparent attack.
Both ships were hit with projectiles that resulted in fires onboard, according to U.K. Maritime Trade Operations, a tracking organization.
Videos verified by ABC News show flames engulfing the “Safesea Vishnu” as the crew of an adjacent vessel throw rubber rings to people in the water.
A screenshot from video circulating online appears to show crew from an adjacent vessel throwing rubber rings to people in the water as the tanker burns on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
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A third ship was also struck Thursday morning off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, near the Strait of Hormuz, the UKMTO organization said. Iran also did not claim responsibility for that strike.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement announcing the “Safesea” strike that it was policing the gulf and strait to ensure vessels “act in accordance with the laws and regulations” that Iran has put in place “in order to remain safe from being hit by stray projectiles.”
-ABC News’ Helena Skinner and Somayeh Malekian
