Saudi Arabia blames Iran for tanker attack that killed two sailors

On Wednesday, Saudia said an Iranian attack on one of its oil tankers had killed two Filipino seafarers.

Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest crude exporter. On Wednesday, it said an Iranian attack on one of its oil tankers had killed two Filipino seafarers.

The vessel, named Sidr, is owned by Saudi shipping company Bahri. It was one of two supertankers carrying Saudi oil reportedly struck late on Monday. The attack happened while the ships were passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has previously warned tankers against sailing through the narrow waterway without authorisation. This has disrupted energy exports from Gulf oil-producing nations.

Before the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas trade passed through the strait.

Bahri confirmed the two seafarers died during a security incident involving the Sidr. The incident occurred at 11:40 local time on Monday.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry stressed the need to halt escalation. It also called for respect for international maritime safety and the security of global energy supplies.

Bahri said it remains in close contact with the vessel. The company added that it is coordinating with relevant authorities and maritime industry partners while monitoring the situation.

This isn’t the first such incident involving a Bahri vessel. In July, another supertanker, the Wedyan, was hit while passing near Oman’s coast.

Two more Bahri ships, Masa and Amzan, came under attack in the Red Sea. These attacks took place in July and August. They followed a naval blockade declared by Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen against Saudi Arabia.

The latest incident adds to growing tensions in the region. Attacks on commercial shipping routes continue to raise concerns about the safety of global energy supply chains.