Iranian Oil Tanker Hit by Two Suspected Missiles Near Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Port

October 11, 2019: An Iranian oil tanker suffered two explosions in the Red Sea near the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah on Friday, raising concerns about a possible missile attack and escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The vessel, identified as the Sabiti, was owned by the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC). According to the company, two separate explosions struck the tanker’s hull approximately 100 kilometres (60 miles) off the coast of Jeddah. The company said the blasts were probably caused by missile strikes.

Iran’s Students News Agency (ISNA) reported that two tanks aboard the vessel had been badly damaged, resulting in an oil leak into the Red Sea. The incident raised concerns about potential environmental damage and the possibility of further oil leakage.

Iranian Oil Tanker Suffers Two Explosions

The explosions reportedly occurred about half an hour apart, at approximately 5:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. local time on October 11.

Initial reports suggested that the tanker had caught fire following the explosions. However, the National Iranian Tanker Company later denied these reports, stating that there was no fire aboard the vessel and that the ship was in a stable condition.

The company also confirmed that all crew members were safe and that they were attempting to repair the damage. Although oil had leaked into the Red Sea, subsequent reports indicated that the leakage had been brought under control.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abbas Mousavi condemned the incident and warned that those responsible would be accountable for its consequences, including environmental pollution.

ISNA also quoted sources describing the incident as a possible terrorist attack. However, no independent investigation had established who was responsible for the explosions at the time.

Incident Raises Tensions After Saudi Aramco Attacks

The explosion occurred less than a month after drone and missile attacks targeted Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities on September 14, 2019, including installations operated by Saudi Aramco.

The September attacks disrupted Saudi oil production and caused significant damage to key energy infrastructure. Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility, while Saudi Arabia and the United States accused Iran of being involved. Tehran denied the allegations.

Against this background, the explosions aboard the Iranian tanker raised concerns about another possible escalation in the region. However, there was no confirmed evidence linking the Sabiti incident to the September attacks on Saudi oil facilities.

Oil Prices Rise Following the Tanker Incident

News of the explosions triggered a rise in international crude oil prices on Friday as traders considered the possibility of further disruptions to oil supplies from the Middle East.

According to market figures reported by Reuters and Al Jazeera, Brent crude futures rose by as much as 2.3 per cent to $60.46 per barrel, compared with an earlier price of $60.13.

Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures increased by as much as 2.1 per cent to $54.69 per barrel, from $54.47.

The increase reflected concerns about regional security and the potential risks to international oil transportation. However, oil prices are influenced by several factors, including global demand, production levels, trade developments and geopolitical tensions.

The incident involving the Sabiti highlighted the vulnerability of important maritime routes in the Middle East. Any prolonged disruption in the Red Sea or surrounding shipping routes could affect international energy markets and increase concerns among oil-importing countries.