At least two sailors were killed when a Saudi oil tanker came under attack while passing through the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia’s national shipping company Bahri confirmed on Wednesday, September 2.
Both of the deceased sailors were Filipino nationals, according to the company.
Reuters, citing the British maritime security agency UKMTO, reported that three unidentified missiles struck the Saudi oil tanker as it was travelling through the strategically important waterway. Saudi state-owned Bahri did not provide further details about the attack.
The attack comes after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly warned oil tankers against attempting to pass through the sensitive and narrow waterway without prior permission.
In a statement, Bahri said it was maintaining continuous communication with the ship’s crew and closely coordinating with relevant authorities and maritime-sector partners.
The company said it was closely monitoring the situation and taking appropriate measures in response to the developing circumstances.
The latest incident follows another attack on a Bahri vessel about a month ago.
The company’s Wadih Al-Arab supertanker was attacked while sailing near the coast of Oman, close to the Strait of Hormuz.
In addition, two other Bahri vessels, Amjan and Masa, were attacked in the Red Sea after Iran-backed Houthi rebels announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia.
The latest attack has raised further concerns over the safety of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes.
