Saudi shipping firm Bahri confirmed that its vessel Sidr was hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening, “resulting in the loss of two Filipino seafarers.” The incident was reported at 23:40 local time (19:40 GMT) and the tanker was involved in a “security incident while transiting” the strait.
The attack occurred approximately 16 nautical miles northeast of Khasab in Oman, according to maritime‑security firms. A South‑Korean‑owned supertanker, Senegal Prosperity, was also struck east of Musandam around the same time, hinting at a concerted campaign against shipping in the region.
Saudi officials condemned the attack, calling for the restraint of Iranian forces and stressing the “need to halt escalation and respect the security and safety of international navigation.” They also criticized recent Iranian strikes on Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait.
The incident comes amid an intensified Iran‑US confrontation. US forces launched air strikes against Tehran last week, prompting Iranian forces to target US bases in neighbouring Arab states with missiles and drones in their most‑intense exchange of fire since July. The Strait of Hormuz, which typically carries around a fifth of global oil and gas shipments, has effectively been closed since the war began in February due to Iranian missile and drone attacks on commercial vessels and a US‑led blockade of Iranian ports.
Two tankers—Sidr and Senegal Prosperity—were reportedly struck by unknown projectiles within minutes of each other, with both vessels listed as “on fire” in reports by Marisks and Kpler. The UN and various shipping partners are urging a return to safer routes through Omani waters.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry reiterated its condemnation of Iranian attacks on shipping and urged all parties to respect international law and safeguard global energy supplies. The incident underscores the peril facing merchant vessels in a region where geopolitical tensions spill onto the high seas.
