At least two tankers were attacked in the Persian Gulf on Thursday.
A Bahamas-flagged oil tanker was attacked by a remotely controlled Iranian vessel packed with explosives while it was anchored near the port of Khor al Zubair in Iraq, according to initial assessments from Iraqi port sources.
Another tanker, anchored near Kuwait, began taking on water and leaking oil after a large explosion on its port side.
Since the start of the standoff between the US, Israel and Iran last Saturday, nine ships have been the target of attacks.
According to Reuters, about 200 ships, including oil tankers, liquefied natural gas and cargo ships, remain anchored offshore near the coast of major Gulf producers.
Shipping data also shows that hundreds of other ships are stuck outside the Strait of Hormuz, unable to reach ports. The waterway is a key artery for about a fifth of the world's supply of oil and liquefied natural gas.
