An oil tanker was struck by unidentified projectiles at a Bahrain port on Monday, causing a fire that was later extinguished, local authorities said. The US-flagged vessel, Stena Imperative, was hit while berthed, and one shipyard worker was reported dead, with two others injured, according to Lena Alvling.
Private maritime security firm Vanguard Tech reported that the Stena Imperative was hit by two unknown projectiles at 02:57 UTC. The company confirmed that all crew members had evacuated safely, while Stena Bulk stated that damage assessments were underway and no crew injuries were reported.
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The vessel is 183 metres long, owned by Stena and operated by Crowley Maritime. Alvling confirmed the impacts were aerial in nature and investigations into the source of the projectiles are ongoing.
The incident comes amid heightened Gulf tensions after the US and Israel launched a major air campaign against Iran, which resulted in the killing of its supreme leader and other top officials. Tehran has since conducted retaliatory strikes across the region, targeting multiple countries in the Arabian Gulf.
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UK Maritime Trade Operations first reported the incident without naming the vessel. Analysts warn that attacks on commercial shipping in the Gulf could disrupt global oil trade and exacerbate regional instability.