Two giant oil tankers carrying Saudi crude were attacked by unknown projectiles almost simultaneously while passing through the Strait of Hormuz late on Monday, as reported by shipping intelligence firms Marisks and Kpler. Marisks described the incidents as a significant escalation in the security threat within the Omani corridor. The tankers, each loaded with two million barrels of Saudi oil at the Juaymah terminal last week, experienced the attacks.
Oil prices surged on Tuesday following U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning of potential additional strikes against Iran after the recent exchange of fire, marking the first such confrontation since late July. The Saudi-flagged super tanker Sidr was hit by unknown projectiles around 31 kilometers northeast of Khasab, Oman, at approximately 3:52 p.m. ET, according to Marisks. Shortly after, the Liberian-flagged VLCC Senegal Prosperity was targeted by three unknown projectiles about 31 kilometers east of Khasab. Fortunately, all crew members were reported safe.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency also reported a similar attack on a tanker in the same vicinity as it exited the Strait of Hormuz, indicating a coordinated incident. Bahri, the operator of Sidr, and Sinokor, the operator of Senegal Prosperity, did not provide immediate comments on the situation. Earlier on Tuesday, Iranian media disclosed that a Saudi oil tanker was intercepted while passing through the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz.
The ongoing Iranian and U.S. blockades of the Strait of Hormuz have significantly disrupted energy exports from the Gulf as both nations seek to assert dominance over the crucial waterway. Despite mediation efforts by countries like Qatar and Oman to negotiate the strait’s reopening, the situation remains deadlocked. Iran stated it would reciprocate if the U.S. fulfilled its commitments under a prior interim agreement, but tensions persist following Trump’s threats.
The recent hostilities have reignited concerns about potential disruptions in oil supplies from the Gulf region. Analysts predict that the missile exchanges between the U.S. and Iran could prolong the conflict, underscoring the unresolved nature of the situation. The conflict, which has primarily been fought through economic measures, faces the risk of escalating into military confrontation despite neither side desiring a full-scale war.