Two Saudi tankers struck in Strait of Hormuz Monday

Two Saudi oil tankers were attacked by unidentified projectiles while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, according to shipping intelligence firms Marisks and Kpler. The incidents took place within minutes of each other as the vessels were outbound through the waterway. Both tankers, loaded with 2 million barrels of Saudi crude each, were en route from the Juaymah terminal last week.

The Saudi-flagged very large crude carrier Sidr was hit around 1952 UTC, approximately 16.6 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman. Subsequently, the Liberian-flagged VLCC Senegal Prosperity was struck by three projectiles about 17 nautical miles east of Khasab. Fortunately, all crew members on board were reported safe. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency confirmed three projectiles targeting a tanker in the same area as it exited the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran and the United States have imposed blockades on the Strait of Hormuz, which has curtailed energy exports from the Gulf, as both nations strive to control the waterway. Prior to the recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, the strait accommodated about a fifth of global oil supplies. Saudi Aramco restarted oil loadings and sales inside the strait in August.

Oil prices surged on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced further strikes against Iran, following the first exchanges of fire since late July. Although Qatar and Oman have been attempting to negotiate an agreement to reopen the strait, no resolution has been reached as of yet.