Iran Gulf tanker attacked: 1 seaferer killed as Strait of Hormuz violence grows

Tanker reaches Bahrain port

Velos Tankers, the Greek firm managing MT Velos Sapphire, said the tanker was heading toward Bahrain when it came under attack. The company said the dead crew member had first been listed as missing after the explosion.

The blast started a fire aboard the vessel, but the crew put it out. No other injuries were reported, and the tanker was received at Bahrain’s Khalifa Bin Salman Port.

An investigation is due to assess damage to the vessel’s hull. The company described the explosion as believed to have resulted from a missile attack.

Attacks increase in Hormuz

The tanker incident is part of a series of attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf. UK Maritime Trade Operations Center data showed more than 35 incidents in the Strait of Hormuz in October, its highest monthly total since the war began. The Wall Street Journal, citing regional officials, security firms and analysts, reported that Iran had used undersea drones carrying explosives, rocket-propelled grenades and crews placing limpet mines on ships in recent weeks.

Reports of more fires

Iranian media also reported that the country’s air defenses had destroyed a US MQ-1 drone over Qeshm Island. The report came after US strikes on the island on Tuesday, when Iranian state media said five explosions occurred.

A statement attributed to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned that the regional war would widen if the United States resumed attacks. Khamenei also rejected the idea that Washington would change course after midterm election losses for President Donald Trump.