Two Explosions Hit Cargo Vessel Near Iraq, Officials Confirm
Two explosions struck a cargo vessel in Gulf waters off Iraq, with officials confirming that at least one of the blasts was caused by a drone attack.
According to Iraqi authorities, the incident occurred about 40 nautical miles southeast of Umm Qasr port, a key shipping hub in southern Iraq.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) earlier reported that the vessel had been hit by a projectile on its starboard side, triggering a large explosion.
Preliminary findings indicate that a second explosion was linked to an unmanned aerial vehicle, which also sparked a fire onboard the ship.
No casualties have been officially reported so far, but authorities have launched an investigation into the attack, as concerns grow over maritime security in the Gulf region amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The incident is the latest in a series of attacks targeting commercial vessels in the area, raising risks for global shipping routes and energy supplies.
