Iraq's security and port authorities confirmed on Thursday that two oil tankers have been attacked within Iraqi territorial waters, prompting a suspension of operations at the country's oil terminals.

Farhan Al-Fartousi, director general of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, confirmed the operational status to the official Iraqi News Agency, saying that oil terminal operations have been fully suspended, though commercial port activities continue.

Al-Fartousi said explosions took place on the vessels, though it remains unclear whether it was a direct strike or a waterborne improvised explosive device.

He added that rescue teams were deployed to extinguish fires on the tankers, which were located approximately 50 kilometers off the Iraqi coast.

Meanwhile, Iraq's State Organization for Marketing of Oil confirmed that one tanker was flying the Marshall Islands flag and chartered to an Iraqi company it contracted, while the other was flying the Maltese flag and loaded with condensate from Iraq's Basrah Gas Company.

Lieutenant General Saad Maan, head of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command's Security Media Cell, told Iraqi News Agency that rescue teams evacuated 38 crew members, while one fatality was reported.

The incident came amid heightened regional tensions following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran starting on February 28. Iran and Iran-aligned militia groups in the region have responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel and US interests throughout the Middle East.