US-Iran war updates: Two oil tankers struck, furious fire rages in Iraqi waters as crews evacuated

Three crew members aboard a Thai ship are believed to be trapped in the engine room after it was attacked by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz.

Two projectiles of unknown origin struck the Mayuree Naree vessel on Wednesday, sparking a fire and damaging the engine room, the vessel’s owner Precious Shipping said in a statement.

“Three crew members are reported missing and believed to be trapped in the engine room,” it said, adding that rescue efforts are underway.

The remaining 20 crew members had been safely evacuated.

The United Nations agency for children, UNICEF, warns that the conflict in the middle east is “becoming catastrophic for millions of children across the region.”

Since February 28, more than 1,100 children have been injured or killed in the violence, the agency said in a statement.

“This includes 200 children reportedly killed in Iran, 91 in Lebanon, four in Israel and one in Kuwait. These numbers will likely climb as the violence intensifies and spreads.”

It added that millions of children have been out of school in the region and that many have been “displaced by unrelenting bombardment.”

“Grave violations against children in armed conflict can constitute violations of international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law.”

UNICEF says it reiterates the Secretary-General’s call for parties to engage in diplomatic negotiations.

The head of Iraq’s General Company for Ports, Farhan Al-Fartousi, has confirmed to Iraqi News Agency that operations at oil terminals will be suspended following recent attacks in Iraqi waters.

Commercial ports, however, will remain functional.

“Less than an hour ago, a tanker loaded with petroleum products—supplied by SOMO to the Iraqi Oil Tankers Company—was involved in an incident,” he said.

He added that “one of the smaller tankers involved flies the Maltese flag” and was hit by an explosion roughly 48 kilometres off the Iraqi coast.

38 people were recovered, including one confirmed dead.

Australian expats in the Middle East have been urged to leave the region on commercial flights before they “dry up”.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the majority of Aussie travellers who were “caught in transit” from the war breaking out a fortnight ago have returned home.

She expressed fresh concerns for expats who were yet to leave the region as the conflict continues and draws in more nations.

Senator Wong used a press conference in Canberra on Thursday to issue a message directly to those citizens, pleading “please do not wait until it is too late”.

“I would speak to the Australians who do live, the expats who live in the Middle East - our view, our advice, is if you can secure a seat on a commercial flight, you should take it,” she said.

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Energy Minister Chris Bowen has temporarily lowered fuel quality standards in a bid to get an extra 100 million litres a month more petrol into the market, particularly regional markets.

Fuel with higher sulfur levels, which would usually have been exported, will be allowed to be blended into domestic supplies for the next 60 days.

“In return, Ampol Australia has committed to ensure this redirected supply will be prioritised for regions of shortage and for the wholesale spot market that supports independent distributors and harvesters,” Mr Bowen said.

“While Australian fuel consumption has not changed, this will help relieve pressure on distribution chains disrupted by elevated demand.”

The minister is also considering a request from the International Energy Agency for countries to release fuel from their reserves into the market.

He said if the Government agreed, the reserves would be “released directly to the Australian market”.

The Iraqi Oil Marketing Company (SOMO) has issued a statement expressing “deep regret” after two oil tankers were targeted while operating in Iraqi regional waters.

According to SOMO, the tankers involved were SAFESIA VISHNU, flying the Marshall Islands flag, and ZEFYROS, raising the flag of Malta.

SAFESIA VISHNU was leased to one of the Iraqi companies contracted with SOMO, while ZEFYROS was carrying condensers from Basra Gas Company. Both vessels were attacked while in the bypass loading area within Iraqi regional waters.

“The tanker ZEFYROS was about to enter the port of Khor Al-Zubair this morning, 12/3/2026, for the purpose of loading an additional shipment of oil product in the amount of 30 thousand tons, after the completion of the later loading process and unloading the previous quantity with the said tanker,” a social media post read.

The company warned that the incident “negatively affects Iraq’s security and economy, and poses a threat to the safety of maritime navigation and oil activities in Iraqi regional waters.”

Unconfirmed reports had earlier suggested that one of the tankers struck may have been Australian-flagged.

Unconfirmed reports have emerged suggesting one of the two oil ships struck in Iraqi waters was an Australian-flagged vessel.

AP reported anonymous sources claimed one of the ships was Australian-flagged.

“An oil vessel flying the Australian flag was struck near Khor Al-Zubair Port, according to two Iraqi navy officials who also spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly,” AP reported.

Another source has claimed both oil tankers, which were evacuated after an intense fire, were fully loaded with oil.

The Australian Government confirmed to The Nightly that it was “aware” of the reports but said the initial information it has indicates that it is incorrect.

Reports online suggest that Grand Creek Harbour Tower 2 is the building hit by a drone in Dubai Creek Harbour.

Footage of the situation shows fire coming from an apartment that was hit, but it is unclear if the drone detonated.

Grand Creek Harbour Tower 2 is a residential building with 66 floors. Individual apartments are also available for bookings through accommodation websites.

The UAE has confirmed that a drone has struck a building in the lucrative Dubai Creek Harbour area, with a major evacuation now underway.

The area is home to large apartment buildings and luxury hotels.

“Authorities in Dubai are responding to an incident involving a drone that fell on a building in the vicinity of Dubai Creek Harbour,” A government statement said.

“Authorities are currently carrying out evacuation operations to ensure the safety of everyone in the building.”

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Iran’s aspiration to conduct a surprise drone strike on the United States has been revealed, with the FBI urgently warning local law enforcement over the threat.

The shocking intelligence was reportedly obtained by officials in the hours before US President Donald Trump directed the commencement of Operation Epic Fury in late February, something that may have played a part in his decision to strike first.

Mr Trump has said he “believed” Iran was about to conduct strikes on the US before he approved the US-Israeli military action on Iran, with the FBI’s move marking the first proof of his claim.

US outlet ABC News said: “We recently acquired information that as of early February 2026, Iran allegedly aspired to conduct a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles from an unidentified vessel off the coast of the United State Homeland, specifically against unspecified targets in California, in the event that the US conducted strikes against Iran.”

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