Saudi Arabia reported that two Filipino sailors were killed in an Iranian attack on a Saudi-owned supertanker in the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker, named 'Sidrah', was targeted on Monday night while transiting the strait. At the same time, another tanker carrying Saudi crude oil was also damaged by an unknown projectile, further intensifying the security crisis in this vital Middle Eastern waterway.
The Saudi national shipping company, Bahri, stated on Wednesday that the 'Sidrah', operated by them, faced a 'security incident' while crossing the Strait of Hormuz at around 11:40 PM local time on Monday. Two Filipino sailors of the vessel were killed in the incident. Bahri expressed its deepest condolences to the families, relatives, and colleagues of the deceased.
Later, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly blamed Iran. In a statement, it condemned the Iranian attack targeting the Saudi tanker 'Sidrah' while crossing the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, Riyadh also condemned recent Iranian attacks on Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait, calling for a de-escalation of tension and ensuring the security of international maritime navigation.
According to maritime security and intelligence firms MarRisk and Kpler, two Saudi crude-laden supertankers were damaged by unknown projectiles within minutes of each other while exiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday night. Both vessels were carrying about two million barrels of Saudi crude oil.
According to MarRisk, the Saudi-flagged 'Sidrah' was struck about 16 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman. Minutes later, another supertanker, the Liberian-flagged 'Senegal Prosperity', was also hit by three unknown projectiles. All crew members of that vessel are reported to be safe. The UK Maritime Trade Operations organization has also reported on the two incidents in the same area.
However, the type of weapon used in the attack or who directly carried out the attack could not be independently confirmed. Although Saudi Arabia blamed Iran, Tehran has not yet directly responded to the allegation.
However, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) made a different claim. According to their account, the two oil tankers were navigating an 'illegal route' in the Strait of Hormuz at the behest of the US military. At that time, the two vessels hit mines, exploded, and subsequently caught fire.
The United States also did not directly comment on the incident. However, the US military stated that new airstrikes have been launched in Iran following the IRGC's recent attacks against commercial ships and US troops in the Strait of Hormuz.
Amid the Iran-US conflict, maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted for months. About one-fifth of the world's total oil and gas transportation typically passes through this waterway. Consequently, any major disruption in the strait has a direct impact on global energy supplies and the oil market.
In recent days, shipping traffic through the strait has also decreased significantly compared to normal. According to preliminary data from Kpler, only four cargo ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, compared to the previous 10-day average of about 13. Earlier on Monday, only five ships sailed through this waterway as well.
Meanwhile, the recent conflict between the US and Iran has further complicated the situation. After the US launched multiple airstrikes in Iran, Iran also launched missile and drone attacks on US bases. This is seen as the largest tit-for-tat attack between the two countries since July.
Despite the conflict, a massive amount of oil was transported by ships through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. However, concerns regarding the safety of commercial vessels are rapidly increasing due to the attack. Ships are having to use the southern route towards Oman, avoiding Iran's preferred northern route; this alternative route is also no longer free from the risk of attacks.
International shipping has practically fallen into uncertainty due to the reciprocal positions of Iran and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. On one hand, Iran maintains its claim of control over the waterway, while on the other hand, the US is supporting shipping on the southern route, talking about keeping the strait open.
The death of two sailors in the attack on the Saudi tanker has added a new dimension to that tension. If casualties on commercial vessels continue to increase, it could create a major strain on global energy supplies in addition to a further decline in international shipping.
