Indian Sailor Killed After Iran Attacks U.S.-Owned Oil Tanker Near Basra
NEW DELHI/BAGHDAD — An Indian crew member was killed after a U.S.-owned crude oil tanker came under attack near Basra in Iraq, while the remaining 15 Indian sailors on board were safely evacuated, according to the Indian Embassy in Baghdad.
The tanker, Safesea Vishnu, sailing under the Marshall Islands flag and owned by the U.S.-based company Safesea Transport Inc., was attacked Wednesday in the Persian Gulf. Iranian authorities claimed responsibility for the assault, saying underwater drones were used to strike two oil tankers operating in the area.
According to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, the operation involved underwater drones that “blew up two oil tankers in the Persian Gulf.”
The vessels targeted were the Maltese-flagged tanker Zefyros and the Marshall Islands-flagged Safesea Vishnu. The Zefyros is owned by a Greece-based company.
Following the attack, the Indian Embassy in Baghdad said it was working closely with Iraqi authorities and had established contact with the evacuated crew members.
“On March 11, 2026, a US-owned crude oil tanker Safesea Vishnu, sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, was attacked near Basra, Iraq, in which one Indian crew member unfortunately lost his life. The remaining 15 Indian crew have since been evacuated to a safe place,” the embassy said in a post on X.
The mission said it is continuing to monitor the situation and provide assistance to the rescued sailors.
“Embassy of India Baghdad is in regular contact with Iraqi authorities and rescued Indian sailors and is offering all possible assistance,” the statement added.
The embassy also extended condolences to the family of the crew member who was killed in the attack.
“Embassy extends its deepest condolences to the family members of the deceased crew member,” it said.
The incident comes amid rising tensions in the region and growing threats to commercial shipping routes. Earlier, Iran warned it would “set fire” to ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime corridor through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply typically moves.
Despite the warning, some shipping traffic has continued through the route, though overall movement has declined as security concerns intensify.
Meanwhile, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump said American forces have taken steps to counter potential threats in the strait.
The escalating U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran has now entered its 12th day, raising fears of broader regional instability. The conflict has disrupted maritime trade and contributed to rising global oil prices as markets react to the possibility of supply disruptions. (Source: IANS)
