Image Credit: FADEL SENNA / Contributor / Getty Images 
A US-owned tanker that was attacked in an Iraqi seaport was hit by two unmanned suicide boats, the ship’s operator has claimed.
“After speaking to the surviving crew members, the attack appears to have been deliberate and calculated,” New Jersey-based Safesea Group said in a statement.
More than 15 tankers and other ships have been attacked in the Gulf since the beginning of the joint US-Israeli military operation against Iran.
Hundreds more have refused to transit the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil exports pass.
The Safesea Vishnu, flagged in the Marshall Islands, was anchored in the Iraqi port of Khor Al Zubair and engaged in ship-to-ship loading when the attack took place.
The crew of 28 were forced to abandon ship. One died.
The remaining 27 crew are safe and receiving assistance from the Indian embassy while they remain in Iraq,
Reports suggest the ship has been damaged and is listing, but has not yet sunk.
Another ship, the Maltese-flagged Zefyros, was also hit in the attack.
On Friday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US Navy is preparing to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.
During an interview with Sky News, Bessent said preparations are underway to provide escorts and that other nations may play a role in them.
“My belief is that as soon as it is militarily possible, the U.S. Navy, perhaps with an international coalition, will be escorting vessels through,” Bessent said.
“There are, in fact, tankers coming through now, Iranian tankers, I believe some Chinese flag tankers have come through. So we know that they have not mined the straits,” he continued.
It was reported that Bessent was forced to take a two-hour break from the interview after being called into the White House situation room.
When he returned, he was asked if escorts had been discussed.
“Your words, not mine,” he responded.
Other members of the Trump administration, including Energy Secretary Chris Wright, have said escorts for tankers will be coming soon.
“It’ll happen relatively soon but it can’t happen now,” Wright told CNBC.
“We’re simply not ready. All of our military assets right now are focused on destroying Iran’s offensive capabilities and the manufacturing industry that supplies their offensive capabilities,” he explained.
On Tuesday, Wright deleted a Tweet in which he claimed the US Navy had escorted a ship through the Strait.
President Trump, in an interview on Friday, also said escorts could be used, and added the US military would be “hitting [the Iranians] hard over the next week.”
In a post of Truth Social later on Friday, Trump said the US military “obliterated” all military targets on Iran’s vital Kharg Island oil terminal.
“Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island,” Trump wrote.
“Our Weapons are the most powerful and sophisticated that the World has ever known but, for reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island.”
The President added that he would change his mind if Iran or any other country interferes with “the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz.”
Oil and gas prices have increased significantly as joint US-Israeli military operations against Iran continued this week.
