Key Takeaways
- Two supertankers carrying Saudi oil were struck by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz.
- The attacks occurred within minutes of each other, escalating tensions in the region.
- Oil prices rose after U.S. President Trump threatened further strikes against Iran.
Two supertankers carrying Saudi oil were attacked by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening, according to shipping intelligence and tracking firms Marisks and Kpler.
The Saudi Arabian-flagged very large crude carrier Sidr was hit about 16.6 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman, at 1952 UTC (GMT), followed by the Liberian-flagged Senegal Prosperity, which was struck by three unknown projectiles approximately 17 nautical miles east of Khasab, minutes later.
All crew aboard the tankers were reported safe, but the operators, Bahri and Sinokor, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The attacks come as the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil supplies, has faced increasing blockades and threats from both Iranian and U.S. forces.
Efforts by mediators including Qatar and Oman to reopen the strait have so far been unsuccessful, with the U.S. and Israel launching strikes on Iran more than six months ago.
Oil prices gained on Tuesday following U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of further strikes against Iran, following the first exchanges of fire since late July.
The attacks on the tankers represent a further escalation in the threat environment within the Omani corridor, according to Marisks.
The tankers each loaded 2 million barrels of Saudi crude at the Juaymah terminal last week, according to Kpler data.
