The vessel was struck by two shells 133 km from the coast of Saudi Arabia
The British maritime trade agency UKMTO has reported an attack on an oil tanker in the northern Persian Gulf. Following the strike near the Saudi Arabian coast, the vessel sustained damage from two projectiles. This was reported by Ukrinform citing UKMTO, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
The incident occurred 72 nautical miles east of the Saudi city of Ras Al-Khafji. According to the agency, the tanker was traveling southeast when it was struck on its port side.
Details of the attack
All crew members have been rescued and are reported safe. There is currently no information regarding environmental damage or oil spills in the area.
UKMTO has advised all commercial vessels transiting the Persian Gulf to maintain high security measures and report any suspicious activity. The agency has not officially identified the perpetrators of the attack.
Maritime security context
The region has remained volatile since the start of operations by the US and Israel against Iran on February 28. Since then, Iranian military forces have frequently declared closures of the Strait of Hormuz and targeted vessels attempting to pass without Tehran’s permission.
Previously, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for strikes on several tankers conducting oil transfers in the northern Persian Gulf, as well as incidents involving commercial ships hitting mines while attempting to navigate the strategic waterway.
Photo: US Central Command
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