Video circulating on Telegram appears to show the immediate aftermath of an apparent drone strike on the Panama flagged very large crude carrier (VLCC) New Andros in Iraqi territorial waters at approximately 6:00 a.m. local time today.
Iraqi port officials told Reuters that the tanker, which was carrying roughly 2 million barrels of Iraqi fuel oil, was struck by a drone and caught fire. Iraqi rescue boats responded and extinguished the fire. All 22 crew members aboard were reported safe, with no casualties and no reported oil leakage.
The identity of the drone or the party responsible for the attack has not been officially established. The incident comes amid a major escalation in attacks on commercial shipping across the Gulf following recent U.S. strikes on Iranian tankers and Iran’s subsequent threats against maritime traffic.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/several-merchant-vessels-hit-by-disabling-fire-gulf-gulf-oman-2026-09-09/
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3September 9, 2026 1.5K 3