Indian sailor dies after Iranian drone attack on US-linked oil tanker in Persian Gulf

An Indian crew member was killed after a US-owned crude oil tanker came under attack near Basra in Iraq, amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The vessel, Safesea Vishnu, was struck during the incident, while the remaining Indian crew members were evacuated to safety, according to officials.

The tanker, sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, was attacked on March 11 in waters near Iraq. Authorities confirmed that one Indian national died in the strike, while 15 other Indian crew members on board were rescued and moved to a safe location. Officials said they are in contact with Iraqi authorities and the evacuated sailors.

Iran claimed responsibility for the attack, saying an underwater drone strike had hit two oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. The vessels targeted were the Marshall Islands-flagged Safesea Vishnu and the Maltese-flagged tanker Zefyros. The Safesea Vishnu is owned by a US-based shipping company, while Zefyros is operated by a Greece-based firm.

The attack comes amid heightened tensions in the region as Iran warned that it would target vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway is one of the world’s most important oil transit routes, handling a significant share of global crude shipments.

Several commercial vessels have reportedly been hit by projectiles or damaged in incidents across the Gulf region during the ongoing conflict. The attacks have raised concerns over maritime safety and global energy supply as tensions continue to escalate in the oil-rich region.