A seafarer died after an explosion tore through an oil tanker in the Persian Gulf, the ship's operator said on Friday. Greek management firm Velos Tankers said the Marshall Islands-flagged MT Velos Sapphire was sailing towards Bahrain when it was attacked. The blast is believed to have been caused by a missile, The Eastleigh Voice reported.
The crew member was first reported missing after the explosion. The company said the seafarer was later "found fatally injured on board". The blast started a fire, which the crew put out. No other injuries were reported. Bahrain's Khalifa Bin Salman Port took in the ship, and an investigation will assess the damage to its hull.
The attack is the latest in a string of strikes on ships in the Gulf. The Wall Street Journal, citing regional officials, security firms and analysts, reported that Iran is using every tool it has to stop oil leaving the Strait of Hormuz. According to the report, Tehran has used bomb-laden undersea drones, rocket-propelled grenades and crews attaching limpet mines to ships in recent weeks.
Data from the UK Maritime Trade Operations Center (UKMTO) show more than 35 incidents in the strait in October, the highest monthly number since the war began. At least five vessels have been attacked so far in November, UKMTO said. The rise comes as shipping through Hormuz shows signs of recovery. US Central Command said last month it had helped Gulf countries export 1.5 billion barrels of oil through the strait since the summer.
On Thursday, Iranian media reported that five oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire after hitting mines in the strait. On Friday, state media quoted the Revolutionary Guards as saying two more tankers were burning.
Iranian media also said on Friday that air defences had destroyed a US MQ-1 drone over Qeshm Island. The United States did not confirm the incident. US forces struck Qeshm Island on Tuesday, and Iranian state media reported five explosions in quick succession.
A statement attributed to Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned that the war would widen if the US resumes its attacks. Khamenei has rejected the idea that Washington will change course after midterm elections dealt a blow to President Donald Trump.