On September 9, Iranian-attributed attacks struck commercial tankers at anchor off Dubai and in Iraqi territorial waters, killing one seafarer and leaving another missing [1][2]. The Gibraltar-flagged oil products tanker Hercules Star was hit while at anchor off Dubai; its charterer Peninsula confirmed one death and one missing crew member, with UKMTO reporting a vessel in the vicinity listing after a suspected projectile strike [1][2]. Maritime security sources initially assessed the Hercules Star may have been hit by a drone [2].

Hours earlier, a drone struck the Greek-owned, Panama-flagged tanker New Andros in Iraqi territorial waters around 06:00 local time on September 9. The vessel was carrying about 2 million barrels of Iraqi fuel oil. Iraqi port officials and UKMTO confirmed the fire was extinguished and all 22 crew were safe [3][4].

UKMTO separately reported several merchant vessels across the Gulf and Gulf of Oman came under disabling fire overnight, with some damaged and taken out of service [3][4]. The Institute for the Study of War assessed Iran likely attacked three tankers on September 9, including the Hercules Star [5].

Iran described the strikes as retaliation for US attacks on its tanker fleet and said it attacked 10 ships near the strait [4]. The IRGC warned it would sharply escalate any further US actions and announced plans for a new, enlarged off-limits maritime zone extending to Chabahar near Pakistan [4].

The escalation extends the threat zone well beyond Hormuz shipping lanes to ports and anchorages in Iraqi and Emirati waters. Rystad Energy estimated Hormuz oil flows fell to as low as 2 million barrels per day, down from 8-9 million bpd in the week before fighting resumed on August 30 [4]. Brent crude stayed above $100 a barrel and US diesel hit an all-time high above $5.94 per gallon on September 9 [4].

The Lloyd's List Intelligence August transit monitor recorded 346 non-Iranian-linked ship crossings in August, a post-conflict record, but warned weekly volumes remain volatile during periods of heightened violence [1]. August averaged 78 weekly transits versus 48 before a temporary maritime understanding.