New footage circulating online appears to show an unmanned surface vehicle — essentially a water-borne drone boat — slamming into the side of an oil tanker and triggering a large explosion, marking a potentially dangerous escalation in the ongoing regional conflict.
According to maritime security reports, the attack allegedly occurred off the coast of Kuwait in the Persian Gulf, where a tanker was struck by what analysts describe as a kamikaze drone boat — an unmanned vessel packed with explosives and remotely guided toward its target.
Officials say the tactic resembles other modern naval drone attacks seen in recent conflicts, but this appears to be one of the first times an oil tanker has been targeted with an unmanned surface vehicle during the current Iran-related conflict.
In a separate incident, a fuel tanker identified as “Athe Nova” reportedly caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz after being struck by drones. The strait is one of the most critical energy chokepoints in the world, carrying roughly 20% of global oil trade.
Security analysts warn that attacks on shipping in this region could have major global consequences, because any sustained disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could affect international oil supply and drive energy prices sharply higher.
The incidents come amid a rapidly escalating conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, with naval strikes and drone attacks reported across the region in recent days.
At this stage, details about the tanker attack footage remain partially unverified, and officials are still investigating who launched the unmanned vessel and whether it was directly ordered by Iranian forces.
For now, shipping companies and global navies are increasing security patrols as tensions continue to rise across one of the world’s most strategic waterways.