Two Supertankers Struck in Strait of Hormuz – The war in Iran, and specifically the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, took a new turn on Monday, 31st August, after two supertankers were struck within minutes of each other.
The Saudi-flagged Sidr and the Liberian-flagged Senegal Prosperity were attacked by unidentified projectiles while transiting through the key shipping route. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Generic Oil Tanker Image. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
It marks the latest incident in the Strait of Hormuz, following U.S. attacks on two Iranian missile launchers on Larek Island over the weekend.
What Happened?
The two supertankers were carrying approximately 2 million barrels of Saudi crude each after being loaded at Saudi Arabia’s Juaymah terminal. They were struck near Khasab in Omani waters while traveling outbound from the Persian Gulf.
According to maritime intelligence, both vessels were struck by unknown projectiles within minutes of each other. Iran has not claimed responsibility for the attack.
All crew members are safe, with Reuters reporting that neither vessel sank. Both vessels’ operators have so far not commented.
Shipping Ceased
The Strait of Hormuz is a key passage for Iran, Oman, and other Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. Approximately 20% of the world’s oil and gas passed through the waterway before the war began in February. Since then, Iran has used a chokehold to prevent the vast majority of shipping from passing through, forcing a rise in global oil prices as traffic remains stranded in the Gulf.
At its narrowest, the strait is 24 miles wide, meaning Iran can strike any vessel that attempts to breach its blockade. Tehran has used this leverage to create economic uncertainty worldwide, increasing living costs across the world and limiting support for the U.S.-Israeli campaign.
In addition to missile strikes, Iran has planted sea mines throughout the Strait of Hormuz to deter commercial shipping from flouting its regulations. The U.S. claims these have been cleared following a large minesweeping operation last month.
A Pivotal Moment?
Tensions are yet again rising off the coast of Iran. On Sunday, 30th August, the U.S. and Iran exchanged strikes for the first time in over a month, with the former targeting missile launchers on Larek Island, which CENTCOM said were in the process of deploying additional sea mines.
Iran responded by targeting a U.S. military base in Jordan, although the missiles were intercepted before they reached their intended target.
Passage has been minimal since Iran’s closure, and despite U.S. assurances that commercial shipping would be protected, few vessels risk attempting to navigate the strait amid ongoing Iranian threats.
A strike in Omani waters on two supertankers carrying 4 million barrels of Saudi crude will do little to ease shipping operators’ nerves. A mine-less, missile-free strait may be one thing, but commercial operators will need confidence that it’s safe to pass through before traffic returns to pre-war levels.
Oil Prices Rise Amid Further Questions
Brent Crude climbed by almost 4% on Tuesday, 1st September – up $3 from the previous day – amid ongoing concerns about a potential escalation in Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz has been a long-standing sticking point of the war, and the latest attack on the strait raises further questions. Iran, having realized its capability to control passage in the early days of the conflict, has maintained its closure in response to President Donald Trump’s economic campaign against the authoritarian regime.
Both sides disagree on who (if anyone) should control the right of way through the waterway. President Trump has argued that the strait is an international waterway, meaning no jurisdiction should control entry into or exit from the Persian Gulf. Tehran does not share this view; it believes it has the right to determine which vessels may or may not pass through its territorial waters.
These polarized differences make it difficult for either side to return to the negotiating table, let alone find a permanent solution to a war that has been waging for half a year. Trump wants Iran to fully reopen the strait before any discussions can take place. Tehran, meanwhile, is demanding Trump cease all military and economic campaigns, including the threat of heavy sanctions on Iran’s trading partners.
Efforts are being made by Middle Eastern countries to find a compromise, with Oman seeking a deal which will allow shipping to wholly or partially pass through Iranian waters depending on the direction of travel. U.S. support, or lack thereof, for this proposal suggests it’s unlikely to be a permanent solution.
About the Author: Shay Bottomley
Shay Bottomley is a British journalist. He has written for the Western Standard, Business Insider, Maidenhead Advertiser, Slough Express, Windsor Express, Berkshire Live and Southend Echo.
