Saudi Arabia and Nepal strengthen air transport ties

Saudi Arabia has condemned an alleged Iranian attack on its supertanker Sidr on Monday, resulting in the death of two Filipino sailors. Bahri, the Saudi national shipping company, confirmed the vessel was involved in a security incident while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The Sidr was hit by projectiles north of Oman's Musandam Peninsula, according to maritime security firms.

Simultaneously, a South Korean-owned supertanker, Senegal Prosperity, was struck east of Musandam. Iran has not responded to the Saudi allegation but stated two tankers caught fire after hitting mines while using an unauthorized route. The US military carried out air strikes on Iran and Iranian forces targeted US bases in neighboring Arab states in their biggest exchange of fire since July.

Iran has accused the US of a war crime over a strike that killed four, including two children, at a wedding in the southern city of Sirik. The US military is investigating the reports. Shipping company Bahri expressed profound sadness over the loss of the two Filipino seafarers, offering condolences to their families. The Saudi foreign ministry condemned Iran's targeting of the Saudi tanker and recent attacks on Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait, emphasizing the need to halt escalation and respect international navigation, security, and safety.