Two tankers were struck in the waters of the Gulf off the coast of Saudi Arabia, Britain’s maritime security agency reported Saturday, incidents that occurred hundreds of kilometres from the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO) said the first vessel, located 68 nautical miles northeast of the city of Jubail, was hit by a “projectile of unknown origin” and its crew was evacuated. “The crew members were safe and well,” the agency said, adding that no environmental impact had been reported at that stage.
Second Vessel Targeted by Rocket Fire
UKMTO later reported a second incident 78 nautical miles from the Saudi city. “The master of a tanker reported being targeted by rocket fire from a small craft, which damaged the port stern,” it said.
Maritime security firm Vanguard identified one of the ships as the ST3 tanker, sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands. “The impact caused a power outage and a fire in the engine room,” it said, stating that the crew was transferred to a nearby container ship flying the flag of the United Arab Emirates.
Attacks Shift Beyond Hormuz
The incidents took place far from the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s hydrocarbons passed before the war in the Middle East. Since then, Tehran has claimed control of the strait and regularly targets vessels transiting without its authorisation.
Washington has in response imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports and escorts tankers, an increasing number of which are crossing the strait. The strikes near Jubail mark a widening of the threat to shipping beyond the chokepoint itself, raising fresh concerns over the safety of commercial traffic in the Gulf.
