Coast Guard and FBI Investigate Cyberattacks on Oil Tankers

WHO:

ABC News - U.S. Coast Guard and FBI are investigating cyberattacks on oil tankers.

CBS News - The Coast Guard personnel and FBI agents boarded a Texas-bound commercial oil tanker.

WHAT:

[11:05 PM EDT] - CBS News - The Coast Guard and FBI confirmed that the vessel named in Iranian reports appears to be the VL Prosperity, a 333-meter Liberian-flagged very large crude carrier capable of carrying roughly 2.3 million barrels of oil.

[11:05 PM EDT] - CBS News - On Aug. 20, Iran's Mehr News Agency reported that the VL Prosperity had been attacked on Aug. 7 while sailing from Egypt's Sidi Kerir terminal toward the United States, losing communications for 30 hours.

[11:05 PM EDT] - CBS News - Iranian state media claimed that hackers obtained control over propulsion, navigation, and cargo systems of the VL Prosperity.

[11:05 PM EDT] - CBS News - The Coast Guard and FBI confirmed that another tanker was boarded on Aug. 24 to conduct a similar assessment following a cyberattack.

[11:05 PM EDT] - CBS News - Iranian state media reported that the VL Prosperity was attacked on Aug. 7 while sailing from Egypt's Sidi Kerir terminal toward the U.S., losing communications for 30 hours.

[11:05 PM EDT] - CBS News - Iranian state media claimed that hackers obtained control over propulsion, navigation, and cargo systems of the VL Prosperity.

[11:05 PM EDT] - CBS News - The Coast Guard and FBI confirmed that there are currently no reports of operational disruptions, vessel instability, physical danger to crews, or environmental impacts following the cyberattacks.

[11:05 PM EDT] - CBS News - The VL Prosperity was reported to have lost communications for 30 hours after being hacked on Aug. 7, according to Iranian state media.

[11:05 PM EDT] - CBS News - Iranian state media claimed that hackers obtained control over propulsion, navigation, and cargo systems of the VL Prosperity.

ABC News - Two oil tankers bound for the U.S. were hit with suspected cyberattacks last month.

ABC News - One tanker was boarded on Aug. 21 by a specialized team of U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement officers, cyber protection members, and an FBI cyber team.

ABC News - The vessel lost communication for over 30 hours after being hacked.

CBS News - The Coast Guard boarded a foreign-flagged commercial vessel on Aug. 21 to assess potential network compromise.

CBS News - The VL Prosperity, a 333-meter Liberian-flagged very large crude carrier, was reportedly involved and capable of carrying roughly 2.3 million barrels of oil.

CBS News - Iranian state media reported that the VL Prosperity was attacked on Aug. 7 while sailing from Egypt's Sidi Kerir terminal toward the U.S.

WHERE:

ABC News - The incidents occurred in the Gulf of Mexico and the Strait of Gibraltar.

CBS News - The VL Prosperity was bound for Galveston, Texas.

WHEN:

ABC News - The first tanker was boarded on Aug. 21, and another on Aug. 24.

CBS News - The VL Prosperity lost communications for 30 hours after being hacked on Aug. 7.

WHY:

[11:05 PM EDT] - CBS News - The U.S. has so far not attributed the potential breach to a specific actor, but Iranian state media amplified the story in the weeks following the breach.

ABC News - Authorities are investigating the possibility that Iran or another actor was involved in the attacks, seeking to exploit the ongoing conflict between Iran and the U.S.

CBS News - Iranian state media amplified the story following the breach.

HOW:

[11:05 PM EDT] - CBS News - Iranian state media alleged that the attackers penetrated engine-room systems, reduced engine cooling flow, increased engine speed, and interfered with fuel and lubricating-oil systems.

[11:05 PM EDT] - CBS News - The attackers allegedly penetrated engine-room systems, reduced engine cooling flow, increased engine speed, and interfered with fuel and lubricating-oil systems.

[11:05 PM EDT] - CBS News - The specialized team examined both the vessel's operational technology and information-technology systems, working with the crew and the ship's corporate operators to oust the threat.

ABC News - The boarding team conducted assessments to ensure the integrity of the vessel’s operational and information technology systems.

CBS News - The attackers allegedly penetrated engine-room systems, reduced engine cooling flow, increased engine speed, and interfered with fuel and lubricating-oil systems.

(UPDATED September 17, 2026 02:10 UTC)

The Coast Guard and FBI have confirmed that the vessel involved in recent Iranian reports is the VL Prosperity, a massive Liberian-flagged crude carrier capable of transporting approximately 2.3 million barrels of oil. Iranian state media previously claimed that the VL Prosperity was attacked on August 7 while en route from Egypt to the United States, losing communications for 30 hours, with hackers allegedly gaining control over its propulsion, navigation, and cargo systems. The U.S. has not yet linked the potential breach to any specific actor, although Iranian media has been promoting the story in the weeks that followed.

(UPDATED September 17, 2026 01:23 UTC)

The Coast Guard and FBI have confirmed that another tanker was boarded on August 24 to conduct an assessment following a cyberattack. Iranian state media reported that the VL Prosperity was attacked on August 7 while sailing from Egypt's Sidi Kerir terminal toward the U.S., losing communications for 30 hours, and claimed that hackers gained control over its propulsion, navigation, and cargo systems. The attackers allegedly penetrated engine-room systems, reduced engine cooling flow, increased engine speed, and interfered with fuel and lubricating-oil systems.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 19:04 UTC)

The Coast Guard and FBI have confirmed that there are currently no operational disruptions or physical dangers following recent cyberattacks, despite reports from Iranian state media claiming that hackers gained control over the VL Prosperity's propulsion, navigation, and cargo systems. The vessel had lost communications for 30 hours after the incident on August 7, prompting a specialized team to examine its operational and information technology systems. Working closely with the crew and corporate operators, the team successfully addressed the threat to ensure the safety of the ship and its crew.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 10:40 UTC)

The U.S. Coast Guard and FBI are currently investigating cyberattacks on oil tankers, with agents recently boarding a Texas-bound commercial vessel as part of their efforts. Two oil tankers, including the VL Prosperity, which can carry about 2.3 million barrels of oil, were reportedly targeted, with one vessel losing communication for over 30 hours after being hacked on August 7. Authorities are looking into the possibility that Iran or another actor was involved in these attacks, which may have aimed to exploit the ongoing tensions between Iran and the U.S.