Saudi Crude Tankers Attacked Amid US-Iran Military Escalation
The Strait of Hormuz has seen another escalation in tensions after two Saudi crude tankers were attacked on Monday evening. The vessels, Cedar and Senegal Prosperity, came under fire approximately 16 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman. Both ships had loaded around two million barrels of Saudi crude oil each from the Ju'aymah terminal over the past week.
According to maritime security firm Marysex, the unidentified projectiles targeted both tankers near-simultaneously, indicating a heightened threat environment along Omani maritime routes. The crews on board are safe, and both vessels came to a halt shortly after the attacks in close proximity to each other.
The incident occurred just as US President Donald Trump announced that the United States is 'taking control of the situation' in the Strait of Hormuz. He claimed an average of 30 ships navigate the waterway each night, a statement rejected by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC confirmed casualties from a strike on Larak Island near the strait earlier on Sunday evening.
Brent crude prices rose nearly three percent to reach $90.49 per barrel on Monday in response to the renewed military tensions between the US and Iran. The upward trajectory continued on Tuesday, with Brent crude climbing to approximately $91.15 per barrel.