As the deadlock over the Strait of Hormuz continues, two crude oil tankers came under attack while transiting the crucial waterway within minutes of each other, according to Greek maritime security firm
Marisks.
The alleged attack was reported on Monday while the vessels were sailing out of the strategic waterway. However, no casualties or environmental damage have been reported so far.
“Two crude oil tankers were struck by unknown projectiles within minutes of each other while transiting outbound through the Strait of Hormuz late on August 31,” AFP quoted Marisks as saying.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency had earlier reported one of the incidents. Maritime security company Vanguard Tech identified the vessel as the Liberia-flagged Senegal Prosperity.
“The rockets impacted the vessel’s port side, engine room and ballast tank, resulting in a loss of communications,” Vanguard said, adding that the crew was safe.
The second vessel was identified by Marisks as the Saudi Arabia-flagged Sidr, a crude oil tanker.
“The near-simultaneous incidents represent a further escalation in the threat environment within the Omani corridor,” said Marisks.
The attacks occurred against the backdrop of a wider confrontation that has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Since the US and Israel began their war against Iran in late February, Tehran has maintained an effective blockade of the waterway.
Iran has said it intends to impose fees on vessels using the strait and has targeted ships it accuses of trying to bypass its designated route. Washington, meanwhile, has established a separate blockade around Iranian ports.
The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil shipments, had remained open to commercial traffic before the conflict. Previous attacks on merchant vessels in the area contributed to the breakdown of an April ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
