# Maritime attacks in the Persian Gulf > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/maritime-attacks-in-the-persian-gulf > Updated: 2026-11-08T05:53:17.000Z. Sources: 28. Developments: 3. A series of projectile strikes against commercial vessels has been reported in the Persian Gulf. On October 31, an unidentified vessel, potentially the Qatari LNG tanker Al Maida, caught fire after being struck by an unidentified projectile approximately 74 kilometers south of Lavan Island, Iran. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that all crew members were safe and no environmental damage was documented. On November 4, the Velos Sapphire, a Marshall Islands flagged oil products tanker under Greek management, was struck by two projectiles while within the Iranian Exclusive Economic Zone. The strikes caused a fire on the port side of the vessel. While the managing company stated all crew members were safe, the International Maritime Organization recorded that one crew member was missing. On November 5, it was confirmed that the missing crew member on the Velos Sapphire was found dead on board following an explosion at approximately 01:15 local time. The explosion, reportedly caused by an unidentified projectile striking the port bow, triggered a fire that the crew successfully extinguished. The vessel was positioned approximately 54 nautical miles north of Madinat Ash Shamal, Qatar, at the time of the strike. The Velos Sapphire is proceeding to Khalifa Bin Salman Port in Bahrain for crew support and a preliminary investigation. No marine pollution has been detected. On November 8, the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers reported that the deceased seafarer was a Filipino national. The department confirmed that 21 other Filipino crew members were safe and unharmed. While initial reports suggested a possible drone attack may have caused the explosion, authorities have not yet verified the exact cause. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac stated that the Philippine government will provide support to the deceased seafarer’s family. ## Claims - One sailor died following an explosion on the Velos Sapphire. (reported by 13 sources) - The vessel is proceeding to Khalifa Bin Salman Port in Bahrain. (reported by 13 sources) - The explosion was likely caused by an unidentified projectile hitting the port bow. (reported by 11 sources) - The MT Velos Sapphire flies the Marshall Islands flag. (reported by 11 sources) - The MT Velos Sapphire was sailing unladen toward Bahrain when the explosion occurred. (reported by 10 sources) - The explosion occurred on November 5, 2026, at 01:15 local time. (reported by 7 sources) - The crew extinguished the fire caused by the explosion. (reported by 5 sources) - No marine pollution has been detected following the incident. (reported by 5 sources) - The extent of the damage to the tanker's hull is currently unknown. (reported by 5 sources) - The IRGC claimed two oil tankers and a towboat struck mines in the Strait of Hormuz. (reported by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-11-08: Filipino seafarer killed in Persian Gulf tanker explosion A Filipino seafarer died in an explosion aboard the MT Velos Sapphire tanker in the Persian Gulf. Twenty-one other Filipino crew members were unharmed, and the cause of the blast remains unverified. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/filipino-seafarer-killed-in-persian-gulf-tanker-explosion ### 2026-11-05: MT Velos Sapphire tanker hit by projectile in Persian Gulf A seafarer died after an explosion struck the MT Velos Sapphire tanker in the Persian Gulf. The vessel was sailing unladen toward Bahrain when it was hit by an unidentified projectile. 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/velos-sapphire-tanker-attacked-in-persian-gulf ### 2026-10-31: Vessel hit by unidentified projectile in Persian Gulf A vessel caught fire after being struck by an unidentified projectile south of Lavan Island, Iran. Crew members are safe, and investigations are ongoing. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vessel-hit-by-unidentified-projectile-in-persian-gulf --- Cite as: Maritime attacks in the Persian Gulf. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/maritime-attacks-in-the-persian-gulf