Explosion Occurs on Iranian Oil Tanker Near Saudi Port of Jeddah

An explosion on an Iranian oil tanker has once again brought the issue of attacks on tankers to the media. This tanker belonged to the National Iranian Oil Company. It is reported that this tanker experienced an explosion near the Saudi port of Jeddah.

News of the explosion on an Iranian oil tanker in the Red Sea has been released by Iranian Islamic Republic media outlets. The news subsequently received coverage in media from other countries as well.

Iran’s student news agency “ISNA” reported on Friday, October 19 (October 11) about an explosion on an Iranian oil tanker.

It is reported that this tanker belonged to the National Iranian Oil Company and experienced an explosion early Friday morning. As a result of the explosion, the hull of the tanker sustained severe damage.

In the mentioned report, it stated that the Iranian oil tanker experienced an explosion in the Red Sea, 60 nautical miles from the Saudi port of Jeddah.

Oil Leak into Red Sea

The “ISNA” news agency reported in its coverage that two main oil tanks of the tanker were damaged. As a result of damage to these tanks, the oil cargo entered the waters of the Red Sea.

The cause of the explosion on the mentioned Iranian tanker has not yet been announced. Given the location of the explosion (60 nautical miles from Jeddah port), Iranian media have reported the possibility of a “terrorist act.”

The aforementioned news agency continued in a brief report regarding the explosion, stating:

“Technical experts stationed on the vessel are investigating the cause of the explosion and suspect this incident may have resulted from a terrorist act.”

The explosion on this Iranian oil tanker could once again revive the issue of ensuring maritime security in regional waters. Attacks on tankers near Fujairah port, as well as the seizure of the British oil tanker “Stena Impero,” had raised the issue of ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

In this regard, the United States has launched a naval fleet in regional waters. Several countries, including Britain, Australia, and Bahrain, have also announced their readiness to cooperate with the U.S. naval fleet.

The online section of British newspaper “Mirror” reported on the explosion of the Iranian oil tanker, stating that according to information released by a maritime monitoring website, the explosion on this tanker occurred southwest of Jeddah port.

Source: DW