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Mercer Street
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Mercer Street

Oil tanker hit by a drone off Oman in July 2021, killing two crew.

An unattributed projectile disabled a tanker leaving Hormuz on 23 October 2026, and masters were told only three days later. When a drone hit Mercer Street off Oman in 2021, killing two crew, Britain and the United States named Iran within days.

Last refreshed: 29 October 2026

Key Question

Why could Britain name Iran for the Mercer Street within days?

Timeline for Mercer Street

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Background

Mercer Street is a Liberian-flagged product tanker, IMO 9539585, built in 2013, with a deadweight of 49,999 tonnes. Japan's Taihei Kaiun owned it, and London-based Zodiac Maritime, controlled by Israeli shipowner Eyal Ofer, managed it.

The drone attack off Oman on 29 July 2021 killed a Romanian crew member, reported to be the captain, and a British security guard. On 1 August 2021 the UK Government said Iran had highly likely carried it out, and on 6 August G7 foreign ministers said the evidence clearly pointed to Iran. Tehran rejected the accusation.

That speed of attribution is the measure later tanker strikes are judged against. In October 2026 the Royal Navy's merchant-shipping desk took three days to tell masters that a tanker had been disabled on its way out of Hormuz. The attack also marks an early case of ships being targeted for Israeli beneficial ownership, a pattern traced to it when an Israeli-owned ship was struck near Fujairah on 4 March 2026.

Common Questions
Who attacked the Mercer Street?
The UK said on 1 August 2021 that Iran had highly likely attacked the tanker with one or more drones. G7 foreign ministers said on 6 August that the evidence clearly pointed to Iran. Iran denied it.Source: UK Foreign Secretary statement; G7
Who was killed on the Mercer Street?
Two crew died: a Romanian national, reported to be the captain, and a British security guard.Source: Zodiac Maritime
What is the Mercer Street's IMO number?
9539585. It is a Liberian-flagged product tanker of 49,999 tonnes deadweight, built in 2013 and managed by Zodiac Maritime.Source: Lloyd's List
Why is the Mercer Street attack cited in 2026 Hormuz reporting?
It shows how fast a strike can be attributed when the ship's operator and navies share evidence: Britain and the US named Iran within days.Source: Lowdown
Source Material
Two Killed During Attack on Israeli-Managed Product Tanker off OmanG7 Foreign Ministers statement on the Mercer Street attackFatal oil tanker attack off Oman 'caused by drone'

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 29 October 2026. Editorial standards.