A Panama-flagged container ship operated by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) was struck by an unknown projectile approximately 40 nautical miles southeast of Umm Qasr, Iraq on June 1, according to United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
The strike triggered a large explosion on the starboard side of the MSC Sariska V, followed by a second impact that caused a fire. No injuries or environmental damage were reported. Authorities are investigating.
The Panama-flagged MSC SARISKA V was damaged in an explosion in Iraqi waters after unloading its cargo at the port of Umm Qasr, Iraq’s Alsumaria News reports. https://t.co/JRIwfOuEI2 pic.twitter.com/VCzxPLauFc
— Ariel Oseran أريئل أوسيران (@ariel_oseran) June 1, 2026
Iraqi state broadcaster Alsumaria News, citing an unnamed security source, attributed the explosion to a mechanical malfunction, adding there were no indications of deliberate targeting. UKMTO’s advisory makes no reference to a mechanical failure and explicitly describes an external projectile strike.
The discrepancy follows a recognizable pattern. In both previous attacks in Iraqi territorial waters, on March 4 and March 11, Iraqi authorities were slow to characterize the incidents as external strikes. SOFX previously reported on the March 11 attacks, in which two tankers were struck south of Al Basrah, resulting in one crew fatality and the evacuation of the remaining personnel.
Martin Kelly, head of advisory at EOS Risk Group, said the attack bore the hallmarks of an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) strike. “MSC Sariska V was struck with what is likely a USV in Iraqi territorial waters after it had completed unloading its cargo at the port of Umm Qasr,” Kelly said. “MSC remains a target for Iran owing to Israeli affiliation.”
The MSC Sariska V had been operating inside the Persian Gulf since the U.S.-Iran conflict began on February 28, part of a regional feeder network MSC established after deep-sea services through the Strait of Hormuz were disrupted. AIS data showed the vessel underway at reduced speed following the incident.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for the strike, stating it targeted the vessel with a cruise missile in retaliation for a prior U.S. operation.
The attack marks the third maritime incident in Iraqi territorial waters since late February.
