Two Supertankers Carrying Saudi Crude Struck in Strait of Hormuz

Two supertankers carrying Saudi crude oil were attacked late Monday while transiting outbound through the Strait of Hormuz, according to shipping intelligence firms. The vessels were struck by unknown projectiles within minutes of each other off the coast of Oman, in what analysts describe as a significant escalation in the threat environment within the Omani corridor.

Shipping data indicates that both tankers had each loaded 2 million barrels of Saudi crude at the Juaymah terminal last week. Saudi Aramco had resumed loadings from inside the strait in August. The near-simultaneous nature of the attacks has heightened concerns over the security of energy exports from the Gulf.

The first vessel, the Saudi-flagged very large crude carrier (VLCC) Sidr, was hit approximately 16.6 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman. Minutes later, the Liberian-flagged VLCC Senegal Prosperity was reportedly struck by three projectiles about 17 nautical miles east of Khasab. All crew members aboard were reported safe.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency separately reported three projectiles striking a tanker in the same location, which appears to correspond to the same incident. Operators of both vessels have not yet responded to requests for comment.

The attacks come amid a broader standoff over the strait, which previously carried about a fifth of global oil supplies. Iranian and U.S. blockades have sharply curbed energy exports from the region. Mediation efforts by Qatar and Oman to reopen the waterway have so far proven inconclusive.

Oil prices gained on Tuesday following threats of further strikes against Iran by U.S. President Donald Trump, marking the first exchanges of fire since late July. Earlier on Tuesday, Iranian media reported that a Saudi oil tanker had been stopped while transiting through the southern corridor of the strait.