Oil terminals have been shutdown following a deadly strike on two oil tankers at Basra port in an escalation of tensions
02:58, Thu, Mar 12, 2026 Updated: 02:58, Thu, Mar 12, 2026
Two oil tankers have been struck at Basra Port (Image: Getty)
Two oil tankers have been struck by drones in Iraq indicating 'escalating tensions'.
The tankers were targeted by new waves of Iranian drones and missiles on Thursday morning, March 12. Attacks were carried out on oil facilities and tankers in what Iraq’s Ministry of Oil said is “a worrying indicator of escalating tensions”.
The tankers were attacked in Iraq's territorial waters. At least one person has been killed with 38 others rescued.
Following the strike on Iraq's tankers, oil terminals have shut. However, Farhan al-Fartousi, the director-general of the General Company for Ports of Iraq said that commercial ports remain open.
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The attack on Iraq’s Basra port early Thursday killed at least one person according to authorities.
Rescuers recovered one dead body and helped 38 others after the attack.
Farhan al-Fartousi, the director-general of the General Company for Ports of Iraq said the targeted ship was engaged in a ship-to-ship transfer of oil when attacked in the Basra port on the Persian Gulf.
Iraq oil ports halt operations following tanker attack
Iraq oil ports have halted operations after a deadly tanker attack. Iraqi port security officials confirmed that two foreign tankers carrying Iraqi fuel oil were in flames after being attacked by Iran.
Officials said that the attack on Iraq’s Basra port early Thursday killed at least one person.
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