US Tankers Fall Victim to Cyberattacks in Strait of Gibraltar

US authorities are investigating two separate cyberattacks on oil tankers bound for the US. The incidents occurred in August, and both vessels were reportedly compromised by foreign actors.

The first tanker was boarded by a team of US Coast Guard law enforcement officers, cyber protection members, and an FBI cyber team in the Gulf of Mexico on August 21. The crew cooperated with authorities, and measures were taken to ensure the integrity of the vessel's operational and information technology systems.

According to sources, one tanker lost communication for over 30 hours after being hacked while passing through the Strait of Gibraltar. Another tanker was boarded by US officials on August 24 to conduct a similar assessment.

The authorities are investigating the possibility that Iran or another actor involved in the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US was responsible for the attacks. However, there have been no reports of operational disruptions, vessel instability, physical danger to crews, or environmental impacts.