Dubai (Web Desk): Two missiles struck an Iran-owned oil tanker setting it ablaze off the Saudi port of Jeddah, Iranian state TV reported on Friday.
“Two missiles hit the Iran-owned ship near the Jeddah port city of Saudi Arabia,” the state TV said, quoting the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC).
It also clarified initial reports that two tankers were targeted, saying the explosion had damaged two tanks of the NIOC-owned Sinopa oil tanker.
The tanker had suffered heavy damage and was leaking oil into the Red Sea some 60 miles from Jeddah, unnamed sources told Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA).
Iran’s Nour news agency, which is close to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, said the crew was safe and gave the name of the stricken vessel as “Sanitized”.
“None of the crew members were injured in the explosion and the situation is under control,” the news agency reported.
Tensions have been high between Iran and Saudi Arabia since an attack on the Kingdom’s two oil facilities on September 14 that caused fires and damage, and shut down 5.7 million barrels per day (bpd) of production – more than 5% of global oil supply.