Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has intensified attacks on civilian vessels in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz since the US-Israeli campaign began, with at least 16 incidents reported by March 12, 2026, per Reuters and the Institute for the Study of War.
These strikes—using explosive boats, drones, and projectiles—target tankers, container ships, and bulk carriers, disrupting 20% of global oil flows and fueling India’s LPG crisis through Hormuz choke-point threats.
Key Incidents Mapped
Reuters’ interactive tracker details strikes since late February:
- March 11-12: Explosive-laden IRGC boats hit US-owned Safesea Vishnu (Marshall Islands flag) and Malta-flagged Zefyros in Iraqi waters near Khor Al Zubair port; tankers erupted in flames, one crew killed. Videos verified by Reuters show blazing hulls during fuel transfer ops.​
- March 5: Crude tanker Sonangol Namibe exploded at anchor near Kuwait’s Al Zubair; remote-controlled Iranian boat blamed.​
- March 6: Tugboat assisting damaged Safeen Prestige struck by projectiles north of Oman.​
- March 7: Drone strike suspected 10 nautical miles north of Saudi Jubail, crew evacuated.​
- Earlier Waves: 10+ attacks from Feb 28, including container ships off Oman/Ras Al-Khaimah, bulk carriers northwest of Dubai; flames reported, crews abandoned vessels.
Inbound Gulf traffic halted; only Iran-linked ships move freely.​
Motives and Global Fallout
IRGC warns of targeting non-compliant ships, aiming to inflict economic pain via energy shocks—Kuwait downed 8 drones, Saudi intercepted 5 near oil fields.​
Impacts ripple to India: tanker delays exacerbate commercial LPG shortages in Bengaluru/Mumbai hotels; telecom towers at risk.
US Navy eyes escorts; Trump vows severe response, but 100+ vessels anchor in fear.
Outlook: Critical Threat Level
UKMTO rates risk “critical”; Gulf ports vulnerable, UAE shuttered refineries preemptively. Sustained attacks could spike Brent crude beyond $100, prolonging India’s fuel woes unless ceasefires materialize.
This campaign tests naval defenses, with India’s Hormuz transits (like recent tankers) as rare exceptions amid chaos.
Editorial Note
Written by Dharmesh Prajapati for newsforindia.live. Synthesizing Reuters’ tracker and verified incidents, this piece maps Iranian ship strikes’ patterns and India energy links. Visual aid essential for escalation tracking. Published March 13, 2026—bookmark for live Gulf updates.