Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Saturday, March 7, 2026, that its naval forces conducted drone strikes on two commercial oil tankers in key Gulf waterways, escalating maritime confrontations amid the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran now in its second week.
In a statement published on its official Sepah News outlet, the IRGC Navy reported that around midday, the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker Louise P was hit by a suicide drone (kamikaze UAV) in the central Persian Gulf. The IRGC justified the attack by claiming the vessel was “one of the assets of the terrorist America,” aligning with prior declarations that all American and Israeli-linked assets in the region are legitimate targets. The strike was described as a direct response to perceived US involvement in the conflict.
In a separate incident earlier that morning, the IRGC targeted another tanker, identified as Pirima (or Prima in some reports), in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian sources stated the vessel was struck by a destructive drone after allegedly ignoring repeated warnings from IRGC naval forces regarding a transit prohibition and the insecurity of the strait due to ongoing hostilities. The IRGC emphasized that commercial vessels allied with “warring countries” (referring to the US and Israel) are barred from passage, with violators subject to enforcement actions.
These maritime incidents follow President Masoud Pezeshkian's earlier statements on the same day, where he pledged Iran would refrain from attacking neighboring states unless provoked from their territory and apologized for unintended regional impacts. However, the IRGC's actions—often operating with significant autonomy—appear to contradict or expand upon the political leadership's calibrated messaging, focusing enforcement on perceived hostile shipping.
The attacks heighten risks to global energy security, as the Strait of Hormuz handles approximately 20% of the world's oil trade. Previous phases of the conflict have seen multiple tanker incidents, including fires, explosions, and abandonments, contributing to surging oil prices and shipping disruptions. Gulf states have reported interceptions of Iranian projectiles aimed at US bases, while debris and collateral effects have caused fires and minor damage in areas like Bahrain and uninhabited zones near Saudi bases.
The broader conflict originated with coordinated US-Israeli large-scale airstrikes on February 28, 2026, targeting Iranian nuclear sites, missile facilities, naval assets, and leadership, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, senior military figures, and over 1,000 casualties—including collateral civilian deaths such as over 150 schoolgirls near military installations. Iran has retaliated with sustained missile and drone barrages on US regional bases (in Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan), diplomatic facilities, and Israeli cities, alongside these emerging naval operations.
No immediate independent confirmation of damage, casualties, or crew status on the Louise P or Pirima was available from shipping trackers, international maritime agencies like UKMTO, or US sources. Reports indicate potential fires or structural impacts, but details remain limited to Iranian claims. The IRGC has warned of further actions against “enemy ships,” including vows that such vessels entering the Gulf could “end up at the bottom,” referencing historical precedents like the 1987 Bridgeton supertanker incident during the Tanker War.
These developments underscore the widening scope of the war from aerial and missile exchanges to direct threats against commercial shipping, raising fears of a prolonged maritime crisis. US President Donald Trump has previously signaled potential naval escorts for tankers through the strait if needed, while rejecting Iran's demands and calling for unconditional surrender. As hostilities persist, international shipping firms continue to reroute or suspend Gulf transits, amplifying economic pressures from elevated energy costs and supply chain vulnerabilities.
