- Saudi Arabia has condemned what it said was an Iranian attack on a Saudi-owned supertanker on Monday night that killed two Filipino sailors.
- The Saudi national shipping company, Bahri, confirmed on Wednesday that its vessel Sidr was "involved in a security incident while transiting the Strait of Hormuz".
- Sidr was hit by projectiles north of Oman's Musandam Peninsula, according to maritime security firms.
- On Wednesday, Bahri confirmed the loss of two Filipino seafarers as a result of the incident, expressing profound sadness.
- The Saudi foreign ministry condemned Iran's targeting of Sidr while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran's IRGC stated that two tankers struck mines and exploded after using an unauthorized route, and are currently on fire.
- The US military has not commented, but it said the latest strikes on Iran followed "recent attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members".
- Tehran has threatened tankers attempting to sail through the narrow waterway without authorization, impeding energy exports from neighboring oil-rich Gulf countries.
Saudi Arabia condemned an alleged Iranian attack on its supertanker Sidr, which resulted in the deaths of two Filipino sailors. The incident occurred on Monday night while the vessel was transiting the Strait of Hormuz at approximately 23:40 local time (19:40 GMT).123
The Saudi national shipping company, Bahri, confirmed the incident, stating, "It is with profound sadness that Bahri confirms the loss of two of its Filipino seafarers as a result of the incident." The company extended condolences to the families of the deceased.
According to maritime security firms, Sidr was struck by unknown projectiles about 16 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman. Another supertanker, Senegal Prosperity, was reportedly hit around the same time, raising concerns about maritime safety in the region.
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps claimed that the tankers caught fire after hitting mines while navigating an unauthorized route, stating that they were "currently on fire." This assertion contradicts Saudi Arabia's allegations of an attack.
The Saudi foreign ministry emphasized the need to halt escalations and respect international maritime safety, highlighting the importance of securing global energy supplies. The incident adds to the ongoing tensions in the region, where Iran has previously threatened tankers navigating the strait without authorization.5
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical passage for global oil and liquefied natural gas trade, with about one-fifth of the world's supply transiting through it.
“The attack occurred late Monday, with Sidr struck by unknown projectiles about 16 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman, while Senegal Prosperity was hit by three projectiles. Iran's IRGC says the tankers were using an unauthorized route and struck mines, but the US military has not commented on the latest strikes.”
BBC
