New Delhi: In a first during the eight-month war in the US-Iran war, limpet mines were used to strike Panama-flagged tanker MT LOUISE 1, carrying 27 Indian seafarers, in Strait of Hormuz on Friday.
Explosives were successfully used to hit a merchant vessel sailing through the in the critical waterway, Reuters reported citing maritime sources.
The strike led to a fire in the vessel’s engine room and temporarily disabled the tanker. Thankfully, all crew members escaped unharmed, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said.
The minister also informed that another vessel, Liberia-flagged very large crude carrier (VLCC) MT ARZANAH carrying two Indian nationals, came under a projectile attack in Hormuz on October 29. All 29 Indians aboard the two ships are safe, and no injury has been reported.
⚠️ IMPORTANT UPDATE ⚠️ On Oct 29, Liberia-flagged VLCC MT ARZANAH, carrying 2 Indian nationals, and on Oct 30, Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MT LOUISE 1, carrying 27 Indian seafarers, were targeted in projectile attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. All 29 Indian seafarers across both vessels are completely safe with no injuries. We are continuously monitoring the situations & coordinating with the ship management companies to ensure the ongoing security and wellbeing of our crew.
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) October 30, 2026
The attack on Louise 1 involved a small craft attaching two limpet mines to the tanker’s hull before moving away. The crew put out the fire, and no environmental damage was reported.
Despite the attack, Louise 1 resumed its journey after the fire was extinguished.
It was the first known successful use of such devices in the area since the conflict began.
An attempt involving limpet mines was made in September, but failed because the devices did not detonate. The identity of those behind the attack remains unclear.
A new phase of maritime warfare seems to have been initiated in the Strait of Hormuz, adding to the concerns about vulnerability of commercial vessels passing through the key global oil export route.