Basra: Iraq's ports authority announced that port operations are proceeding as usual, despite a drone incident involving a tanker outside Iraqi port limits. The Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported that the unloading and cargo-handling activities remain uninterrupted.

According to Anadolu Agency, the authority confirmed that there has been no suspension of port activities. Iraq's Oil Ministry also stated that crude oil loading from the country's southern ports continues without any stoppage. The ministry is currently investigating the fall of an unidentified object on one of the tankers, with INA noting that further details about the tanker, the location of the incident, or potential damage or casualties have yet to be disclosed.

The drone incident occurred shortly after reports from some Iraqi media outlets suggested that an unidentified drone struck a commercial cargo ship docked at Basra port. The reports indicated that the drone did not cause an explosion.

In a related security update, Iraq's northern Kurdish region's Counter-Terrorism Directorate reported that international coalition forces successfully downed eight unidentified drones over Erbil province, with no casualties reported.

These incidents occur amid heightened military tensions between the US and Iran, marked by an increased deployment of unidentified drones to monitor and target essential routes and Gulf waters. Concurrently, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zeidi's government is undertaking security and diplomatic measures to consolidate control over weapons and ensure security responsibilities are solely under state jurisdiction.