Three Oil Tankers Attacked Off Iraq Coast

Middle Eastern outlets focus on whether Iran or Iran-backed groups carried out the tanker attacks and how this fits into the wider war with the US and Israel. Some reports call the strikes a likely Iranian operation, while Iraqi officials publicly stress the need to protect maritime routes without naming a culprit. Regional commentators expect more pressure on Baghdad to balance ties with Tehran, Washington, and Gulf states while keeping its export routes open.

• •Regional officials describe the burning tankers in Iraqi waters as a likely Iranian attack tied to the US/Israel-Iran war.
• •Iraq’s government is asking for international help to protect shipping lanes without directly accusing Iran.
• •Gulf states fear that tanker attacks off Iraq could spread insecurity to their own export routes.
• •Iran-linked media warn against protests at home while highlighting the tanker incident as part of the conflict with the US and Israel.
• •Baghdad faces growing pressure to prevent its waters from becoming a battleground between Iran and Western forces.