At least 17 ships have been attacked in the Middle East over the past two weeks following the outbreak of regional conflict, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The incidents occurred around the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman. The UKMTO and the Indian Embassy in Oman confirmed that two Indian nationals were killed in the attacks.

The UKMTO reported that on March 1, two tankers were hit by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, and another vessel was struck while anchored in Bahrain. Additional attacks took place in the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Strait of Hormuz between March 3 and March 12, involving explosions, drone strikes, and projectile impacts. The most recent incident on March 12 set a container ship ablaze in the Persian Gulf.

The series of maritime attacks highlights growing insecurity in key shipping routes of the Middle East, though the source did not specify who was responsible for the assaults or the broader military context.